Science | Bernera School

The children have been visiting to local polytunnels this session, learning about growing vetetables and planting various things of their own. There was a slight hiatus in proceedings, however, when the first polytunnel was destroyed in the January gale. Undeterred, they have been back for a visit to the greenhouse and will be planting up some seeds in the school.

As a project it is valuable on many levels. Scientifically, the biological aspects of growth, chemical compositions and so forth; and of course from the health and wellbeing aspect it ties in to see food being produced. As a part of learning in the community, working with members of the community and getting out and about fits in perfectly with the concepts of oudoor learning that is seen to be so valuable. All in all, this is a very good example of true cross curricular learning.

On the 22nd January Bernera School went to Tesco’s! A important part of Curriculum for Excellence is Health & Wellbeing, and the “Farm to Fork” project investigates where our food comes from, how it is proccessed, displayed and sold in the supermarket and from there to our forks! The children and staff travelled to Stornoway in Dodo’s minibus and arrived at Tesco to meet another “Big” Sarah, who showed us to the changing area and staffroom in order to hand out clipboards, talk about what we would see and most importantly, hand out very official looking tabards and paper hats to show we meant business!

First on the agenda was a look at the fruit and vegetable department, identifying various items, checking them on our boards; then on to the fish counter, identifying different fish and handling a herring (with gloves, thankfully). Next, the bakery department, where after a thorough handwashing and hat checking, we got to sugar doughnuts and ice some Danish pastries! We got some to take home too. After a visit to the warehouse, the freezers and the delivery van, we returned to the canteen for a super snack of all sorts of different fruits, including mango and pomegranate, french bread, Scotch eggs and juice. Time to head home. Thanks Tesco for an interesting, informative not to mention tasty, morning out!