The gardens and the bird garden are the focus for conservation programmes for endangered species including Bali Starlings and provide an excellent resource for the study of 'Life processes and living things'. Care and conservation of the unique objects in the House gives an unusual focus to the study of 'materials'.

Science Resources
Early Years - Talks
Close Creatures: An opportunity to come face to face with some of the less cuddly members of the animal kingdom! A look but don’t touch session.
Allow 30 to 45 minutes

Focus on Birds: Enjoy an introduction to the amazing life of birds. Feathers and eggs are handled during this talk.
Allow 30 to 45 minutes

Pretending to be penguins: Learn all about penguins. Take a close look at their eggs and feathers, listening to a penguin story and then be amazed by the real thing. After watching them we can all pretend to be penguins. Allow 45 minutes

Craft Activities Allow 45 minutes

Focus on one of the following, and then enjoy making your own bird:
Practical Penguins
Painted Parrots
Fabulous Flamingo
Awesome Owls
Fantastic Pheasants

Follow up activities
Information and colouring sheets to supplement the above talks are available on request; to be used back in the nursery.

KS 1 and 2 Activities - Allow 30 to 45 minutes depending on group size.

KS 1
Dead or Alive? With the use of a variety of artefacts, natural products and live animals we will look at the similarities and differences between them. A selection of live invertebrates and reptiles will also be shown.

KS 1 and 2
Close Creatures: Focus on small animals with exoskeletons, scales or fur. Talks can be tailored to meet your curriculum requirements. Live animals are used during the talk, some of which may be handled.

Focus on Birds: An introduction to the wonderful world of birds. Eggs and feathers are handled during this talk.

Pick Me! Focus on the need for classification, with the use of bio-artefacts and pictures. By looking at the things they have in common, together, we will try to group the animals on display. Bio-artefacts used during this talk.

Red Kites return: Red kites are back in Yorkshire! Learn about how they became extinct and follow their re-introduction. Hopefully you will see them on the day! Feathers are handled during this talk.

KS 2
Wonderful wings: Birds are not alone in being able to fly. During this session we will look at others who have taken to the sky. Feathers and wing parts handled during this talk.

What a Hoot! Learn all about owls, their adaptations and how they hunt. Look more closely at their feathers (using the microscope); check out their senses and talons. Optional Practical: dissect an owl pellet and use a simple key to try and discover what was for supper!
Feathers and pellets are used during this talk.

Practical Sessions – Allow 1 hour

KS 1 and 2
Neat Nests: How important is nest building to birds? During this practical we will look at a few species of bird, then using materials already collected, have a go at building our own nests! Can it be done? Animal hair and feathers used in this practical.

Feed the Birds: Not the birds in the Bird Garden, the native birds in your garden or school grounds. Focus on the adaptation and diet of exotic species, as well as the more familiar species whilst mixing and moulding bird feeders. Messy fun! Nuts and other food materials used during this practical.

KS 2
Enrichment Challenge: Take a closer look at the needs of birds. After studying one of the Bird Garden species have a go at designing a form of enrichment. Once made, we can see what the birds make of it!
Try this at home - how can you spice up your pets life?
Food materials used during this practical.
Extra charge of £1:50 per pupil.
Bucket Dipping: The safety conscious dip! Using large buckets, filled with water from the pond, we can take a closer look at some of the smaller members of the animal kingdom, their lifecycles and the role they have in the food chain. Involves a walk to the lakeside (along the footpath), to view habitats. A single large microscope, pond water and bird skulls will be used during this practical.


Numeracy Resources
Numbers are beautiful! Maths is everywhere you look! From the symmetry of patterned ceilings, to clocks and weighing scales, and counting the birds in the Bird Garden as data; numbers can be found in allsorts of places.

We have recently developed cross-site Numeracy trails to support work from Reception class to Year 6. The trails give real life situations in which Maths can be used creatively to solve problems. Beginning on the State Floor looking at repeating patterns and shapes, continuing in the Below Stairs exhibition looking at Roman Numerals and weighing, and ending in the Bird Garden; the trails provide an interesting new way to look at Harewood.

Continuing the numerical theme, why not try a churchyard survey of All Saint's Church, Harewood?

The trails are teacher-led and come with comprehensive teaching notes.

The following trails are available to download using links at the bottom of the page.