Students were selected to get a closer look at tarantulas, millipedes and corn snakes when they learned more about saving the planet.
Teenagers from Shirebrook Academy were introduced to the creatures as they delved into life inside of the rainforest and the many animals and resources that it is home to.
Picture shows: Lucas Thomas, 13 (left) and Jakub Dzideczek, 14 (right) from Shirebrook Academy with Domanique Lake from ZooLab holding a Honduras curly haired tarantula.
Each of the students were selected based on good behaviour and positive attitude to learning, giving them the opportunity to look at, stroke or hold them to observe the features up close.
The lesson was run by Domanique Lake from ZooLab, a Wolverhampton based company that travels to schools educating and inspiring children on the wonders of the rainforest.
Picture shows: Shirebrook Academy students holding a corn snake (Left to Right – John Shelton and Oliver Waterhouse)
The millipede’s legs help them to feel in the dark and the giant African land snail’s large shell allows it to take refuge from predators. Just one of the facts delivered was that a corn snake gets their name from being found on farms where sweetcorn grows.
She also used the lesson to educate pupils on the importance of sustainability and encouraging recycling to ensure the habitats of exotic animals can be preserved.
Picture shows: Shirebrook Academy students, Lillie Hunt, Rhianna Holland and Honey-Rose Cann holding a millipede.
Y9 student Lucas Thomas (13) said: “I have learned so much from the session about our environment. Dominique made it really interesting.”
The teacher supervising the session, Alison Fidler said: “ZooLab was a fantastic experience for our Year 9 students. It hugely enriched their understanding of the rainforest, why is it under threat and how we can help conserve it for the future.”
Picture shows: Honduras curly haired tarantula
“The opportunity to meet and hold some exotic animals was incredibly exciting and I’m extremely proud of how well the students engaged with and enjoyed the experience.”
ENDS
Shirebrook Academy is based in Common Lane, Shirebrook. It has 840 students and has particular strengths in personal development, careers and employability. In 2018 the school came second in the British Chamber of Commerce Education Partnership Award and qualified for the finals as East Midlands Regional winners.
In May 2017 Shirebrook Academy joined Aston Community Education Trust (ACET), benefitting from the efficiencies to be gained from high quality centralised services and the challenge and support of ACET’s School Improvement Team.
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