Fair Isle Marine Protected Area Weekend

On Friday 7th June, Katie (Project Officer DR MPA) and Emma (Whale and Dolphin Conservation) , worked with the primary school children all day, starting with with a very interesting presentation about cetaceans.  Our children learned many facts about these fantastic sea mammals, explored artefacts, like a piece of baleen, and learned to ID Risso’s dolphins; they even had the chance to name some of the local dolphins in the ID catalogue (Flash, Silver, Humphrey, Scar and Finn). We learned about echolocation and went up to North Haven to test out the special hydrophone to see if we could hear any cetaceans (sadly we didn’t but we did enjoy listening to underwater sounds).  In the afternoon, to celebrate World Ocean Day, we reflected upon the things we love about the sea.

 

The Secret of Seeds

Ger from the Netherlands has been staying in Fair Isle, after first visiting 49 years ago.  He came in to speak to us about his job as a teacher of gardening, where schools from all around his city visit the gardens/education centre for weekly lessons.  We explored seeds carefully, taking them apart to examine the root/shoot with food dye under a microscope – amazingly we could see the detail of the leaves in this tiny part of the seed.  It was fascinating to learn that there is a complete plant inside, ready to grow!  Pat and the pupils showed Ger our school garden and the sunflowers we are growing in our classroom. Sunflowers are Ger’s favourite flower so we will send him pictures of their progress.

Art with Bev

Bev is an artist from England who is staying on the island this month.  She used to be a school teacher and offered to visit us for an art session.  One of the focuses for her art on Fair Isle is lichens so the children had the opportunity to create some lichen artwork, and also to do some upcycling by turning milk cartons into a mini wallet.  Later in the month, the community were invited to visit the studio at the end of Bev and Rob’s residency at Lower Lough to see the artwork and enjoy some tea and scones.  Bev’s artwork is beautiful and we had a lovely afternoon.

Heidi and Ander’s Lichen’s

Maui and the Sun

Chantelle, a school teacher from New Zealand, was staying on the isle and came in to work with us.  We had a lovely time learning more about New Zealand, from earthquakes and volcanoes, to wildlife and Mauri culture.  We learned the story Maui and the Sun and had fun re-enacting it out in the playground, trying to catch the sun!

Thanks to all our lovely visitors to our school this month.  Our children thoroughly enjoy learning from others and about their life and where they come from; such experiences are very enriching for our pupils!