News - Biodiversity and Conservation Workshops
Cornwall College press release
Year 9 students from Cape Cornwall School were invited to Duchy College today to take part in biodiversity and conservation workshops put on by four second year Conservation and Countryside Management Foundation Degree students.
The Duchy Students Dieter Straub, Daniel Hopkins, Esther Kieboom, Robert Chittenden and Lecturer Anne Osman presented the workshops as an environmental education assignment forming part of their Foundation Degree. The 20 top set science students from Cape Cornwall School were divided into groups to experience 5 workshops in; tree invaders, sexual reproduction and life cycles, pond life and nature in miniature. The workshops were designed to be hands-on so that students would get the chance to experience the practical side to science.
FdSc student Robert Chittenden who gave the pond life workshop said "Hopefully after this workshop the students will realise that they can find interesting ecosystems in a simple pond. Many of them haven't been pond dipping before and they were all surprised by the amount of wildlife that could be found including; Dragonflies, Newts and Insect larvae. I really hope that after today's activities the students will have a greater interest in nature and conservation.
Conservation Lecturer Gavin Nicol Said "We hope to prepare FdSc students on this course for a career in conservation in whatever form that takes. Some may decide to work for major conservation organisations or government bodies or they may decide to go into teaching. These science workshops are designed to give the FdSc students experience with education so they can make an informed decision on the right path for them. It was a great opportunity for the Cape Cornwall students to get to know Duchy College, as it's one of their options for further study after school, particularly if they have an interest in land-based subject areas."
Dave Linnell OBE Chief Executive of Cornwall College of which Duchy College is a part said, "Cornwall College endeavours to work with local schools and the community to give students a broad understanding and experience whilst studying. Foundation Degrees combine work-related and academic elements and are designed with employers to give students lots of relevant industry experience, that will hopefully set them apart from other graduates."