The dates for the Science Summer School 2012 can be confirmed as Week 1 is the 9th-13th July and Week 2 is the 16th-20th July 2012.
If you are interested, please read on and download the Student Application Form and send it to Jasper Hughes, Education Officer at the Highland Wildlife Park, e-mail address jhughes@rzss.org.uk or call on 01540 651981 if you have any questions. If you would like to download the Science Summer School leaflet/poster for your school or youth group click here.
RZSS Zoological Science Summer
School Course 2011 Report
This course recently received a Commendation from BIAZA
(British & Irish Association of Zoos & Aquariums),
for their Best Education Project Award 2007.
The 4th Science Summer School course has come to an end. We had a fun packed 2 weeks with 12 students in the 1st week and 11 students in the 2nd week one of the highest turn outs ever. We had a wide selection of students with an interest in many aspects of animal management from potential vet students to those who just wanted to learn more about zoos and what we do. The students came from all across Scotland and even from England, as well as some of the local schools from the Strathspey and Inverness-shire areas.
The students did exceptionally well this year, with their work being of a very high standard. We had a native species theme this year. The students had 3 species to study the Scottish wildcat (parents and kittens), the pine marten and a new species the wild red squirrels that are found in the Park. Some animals where quite obliging in their behaviour and others could have been better. The weather was exceptionally good and was quite dry and warm, much to the delight of the students as they had to carry out the animal observations twice a day. The red squirrels where quite an interesting animal as this was the first time we had studied an actual wild animal and we did not know if they would turn up, they did not disappoint. We were able to utilise some modern technology in the form of camera traps (the same that was used to catch video evidence of tigers in the Himalaya's) to monitor the squirrels behaviour. This equipment was leant to us by the Red Squirrel Conservation Officer Juliet Robinson (Forestry Commission Scotland). We also used camera traps around the park in a bid to see what wild animals actually lived on site or where passing through. We were lucky enough to catch a wild Scottish Wildcat passing through the Park which was very exciting. The students worked really hard in collecting lots of data and producing the animal enrichment projects which had employed plenty of ingenuity. All the posters and presentations were of a very high standard this year. The delivery of the presentation can be quite a daunting experience for the student's as they have to talk in front of friends and family but everybody did exceptionally well.
I would like to say a big thank you to Katie Holroyd who was the Education Volunteer for the Science Summer School. Katie is a Student who is studying Zoology at Aberdeen University. She also gave up her time to help the students get the best out of the week. Also a big thank you to all the guest speakers throughout the course; Douglas Richardson (HWP Animal Collection Manager) Dave Barclay (Studbook keeper for the Pallas cat) Jane Harley (Strathspey Vet Service) Dr Roo Campbell (Highland Tiger) Stephen Woollard (RZSS Education and Interpretation Manager).
We are all looking forward to the next year's Science Summer School and I hope we will see more students next year.
Science Summer School 2012
The dates for the Science Summer School (week 1 and 2) are to be confirmed in the New Year for 2012 this will be our 5th year at the Highland Wildlife Park, Kincraig.
The Education Department at the Highland Wildlife Park is calling on Heads of Biology/Science to nominate pupils who you think could benefit from this year's Zoological Science Summer School Courses, aimed at young people aged 15 and 16 years old (S4-S5). Interested students should ask their teacher to contact the Education Dept at the Park (see below).
The course will run from Monday to Friday inclusive, 9.00am to 4.00pm with 16 places available each week. This course requires a 1 week commitment during the school holidays, so it is essential we only have students that can make the whole week. Due to limited spaces, teachers will need to fill in a Nomination Form per student saying why the pupil could benefit from the course. The Park will then inform the teachers of the candidates chosen. Print
off Student Nomination Form here
Students will spend the week studying aspects of the
Park/captive environment which influence animal behaviour
and will be introduced to basic methods and techniques
used to evaluate recorded observations. These techniques
will include recognition of animal behaviour categories,
observation recording, data collection, introductory
analysis, literature searching and scientific writing.
They will be introduced to scientific areas such as
animal welfare, genetic management, ecology, nutrition
and physiology. Transferable skills acquired within
this framework will include the use of computer programmes
including Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint; introduction
to online literature databases; use of internet and
email; public speaking; independent and team-based working
skills.
The
course is organised by RZSS education staff, but there
will also be input from keepers and the Park vet. However,
it must be stressed that the students WILL NOT be working
directly with the animals, so there will be no physical
contact with them. The week contains a heavy workload
concentrating on non-invasive animal research/science,
so we are keen to attract the most committed students.
Watch here for a video
of the Summer School at Edinburgh Zoo which gives
an idea of what the week entails.
We are happy to announce that we have received full
funding for these courses, so there will be no cost
to the students other than transport and accommodation
costs if required.
The students would be expected to bring their own packed
lunches each day but drinks and snacks will be provided
at breaks. On the last day it will be possible for teachers
and family to come along and listen to what the students
have done during during their week.
This is a great opportunity for young scientists to
get together, explore the science behind wildlife parks,
meet some unusual challenges and have fun as well as
work hard. So, we would encourage you to book early
in order to avoid disappointment.
