Resources by Open Air Laboratories (OPAL)

Education Pack: Seeds and Fruits - Adaptation *suitable for home learning*

Aimed at primary learners, this resource aims to develop an understanding of seed dispersal and the adaptation of bird beaks related to food choice. It is designed for use when visiting a wildlife area and links to the topic areas of plant life-cycles and interdependence and adaptation.

The materials,...

Education Pack: Senses

These materials aimed at primary learners explore how our senses can help us to learn about the natural environment. Linked to the topic areas of animals and habitats, they are designed for use when visiting a wildlife area. Most of the activities focus on one sense and...

Education Pack: Soil and Earthworms - Worm Survey

This resource, produced by OPAL (Open Air Laboratories), aims to develop an understanding that there are different kinds of earthworms in the environment with different habitat requirements. Linked to the topic area of all living things and their habitats, it is designed for use outside the classroom when visiting...

Education pack: Spring - pollination

These materials, produced by OPAL (Open Air Laboratories), aim to develop an understanding of the importance of pollination in the wider environment. Designed for use in the school grounds or when visiting a wildlife area, they link to the topics of plants and animals in the local environment, life cycles and...

Education Pack: Trees - Vital Statistics, Describing and Measuring Trees

Aimed at primary level, this resource aims to help children recognise the differences between plants. Linked to the topics of plants and all living things and their habitats, it is designed for use when visiting a wildlife area. Activities also help to develop measuring and data handling skills. Teacher guidance on...

Education Pack: Useful Plants - What Do Plants Do For You?

This resource, produced by OPAL (Open Air Laboratories), helps children to recognise and name a variety of common plants and develop an understanding that plants have many uses. It is designed for use outside the classroom when visiting a wildlife area. Children are taken on a plant walk where they find pre-...

Education Pack: Woodland Tales

These materials, aimed at primary learners, use stories and narrative to explore and understand the environment around us. Designed for use outside the classroom when visiting a wildlife area, they link to the topic areas of plants and animals in the local environment...

Heather Distribution

This field study provides the opportunity for students to use ecological survey techniques and conduct investigations to understand how the environmental (abiotic) conditions in a habitat can affect the presence and distribution of organisms. The resource provides a practical investigation of the relationship...

Heathland Conservation and Management

The main aim of this resource is for students to understand some of the conflicts surrounding land use in the UK – particularly the conflicts between economic incentives, society, and environmental conservation. The resource also provides a practical introduction to the complexities of managing habitats, with a...

Heathlands and Roads

The main aim of this resource is for students to understand the impact that roads can have on heathland habitats, both in terms of anthropogenic nitrogen pollution and habitat fragmentation.

The resource provides practical, scientific investigations without the need to organise a field trip. The...