Children from St Josephs Catholic Primary School in Hunslet have been getting some hands-on experience of science and nature at Skelton Grange Environment Centre, taking part in a whole day of discovery about the natural world of plants and animals. They visited during National Science and Engineering Week - a ten day celebration of science, engineering and technology that runs from 6th to 15th March.
The Year 1/2 class took part in range of exciting outdoor activities at the Centre, which is based in South Leeds, including pond dipping, minibeast hunting and learning to create scientific drawings of the plants and animals they found.
Skelton Grange Environment Centre is run as a partnership between BTCV and National Grid with support from Leeds City Council, and promotes understanding of environmental issues and the natural sciences to children and young people of all backgrounds and abilities. National Grid supports a network of environmental education centres such as Skelton Grange, which offer imaginative activities to help thousands of children learn about science and the environment.
“A visit to Skelton Grange Environment Centre can really help to get kids excited about the natural sciences,” said Centre Manager Caroline Crossley. “The hands-on activities that we offer really help to bring a subject to life, and should help to inspire children to become the scientists of the future!”
Skelton Grange Environment Centre has a 6 acre site which has been developed to promote biodiversity and encourage local wildlife, whilst also being a safe accessible area for environmental education and play. The site provides a range of habitats including ponds, young woodland, meadows, a large mature hedge, and a food growing area. The Centre offers free education days for schools in Leeds and Wakefield. For more information see the centre’s website at www.skeltongrange.org.uk