Activities

Ocean Art

REEF WALL ART Our pupils used printing techniques as well as multiple materials to create different textures and looks. They used clay to create starfish, a common find during our rockpooling sessions. These beautiful collective pieces are displayed in our cloakroom to jazz it up! INDIAN INK MEETS MOLLUSCS & SEAWEED Delicate & fine drawings…
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Seashore Topic (EM1-4)

EM1-4 pupils visited different parts of Loch Dunvegan and completed multiple activities. We learnt about tides in relation to the moon and sun as well as the basics of shore zonation. We demonstrated the water levels of different types of tides using hand gestures. We also learnt the differences between living and non-living things. We…
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Rockpool Detectives – Gaelic Group

Another group explored the wonders of our local shore. We were briefed on rockpooling rules and safety measures prior to the activity. We investigated and identified our findings and handled all the live animals with utmost care. We will be creating a fact file on the species collected in Gaelic. How exciting! We learnt how…
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Fish Anatomy

We learnt about fish external and internal anatomy. We conducted a scientific dissection on Atlantic mackerels, labelled all fish parts, and researched the function of each organ. Did you know that fish breathe through their gills?!
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Food Webs

Prior to our outdoor lesson, we learnt about food webs and the basic fundamentals of energy flow in nature. We put our newly acquired knowledge into practice by visiting our local shore and creating live food webs. We rockpooled during a spring low tide and we came across a fish species we had not encountered…
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Mermaid Magic

We have been learning about mermaids in different cultures throughout history. We learnt reporting news techniques and wrote individual articles on imaginary mermaid sightings. We also created a collective mermaid art piece and named her Selkie. We closed the mermaid topic with a sprinkle of magic from a real mermaid, Mischief from Cornwall. She’s an…
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Coastal Birdwatch

Prior to visiting our shore, we were familiarised with binoculars and learnt how to differentiate bird songs. During our birdwatch, we spotted and heard a flock of greylag geese, a few oyster catchers, hooded crows, herring gulls, common gulls, grey heron, curlew and cormorants. We also spotted a territorial robin, a water pipit and a…
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Survey – PMF 1

Our pupils learnt about the criteria of Priority Marine Features (PMF) and the important role they play in creating a diverse and healthy ecosystem. We are especially lucky as our local shore consists of not one, but TWO PMFs. We used transect line sampling method to collect the data. We measured the length, depth and…
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Beach Clean

We conducted two beach cleans and covered 239 m of shore. We collected 37 kg of litter which consisted mostly of plastic and fishing gear. We learnt about the types of marine pollution and the dangers they pose to the wildlife and environment. The Highland Council collected the rubbish and disposed off it following The…
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Seaweed Soup

Our pupils cooked soup from scratch by the shore! They learnt about sustainable foraging following the guidelines recommended by The Sustainable Food Trust and Marine Scotland. They also practised lighting campfires responsibly and learnt the basics of food prep hygiene. Brilliant teamwork EM5-7! Those faces say it all – DELICIOUS!
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Seaweed Zonation

Our pupils used their observational skills and previously acquired knowledge to analyse the distribution of seaweed species across our local shore. Seaweed zonation gives us great intel on species adaptations as well as basic tidal dynamics. Well-done boys & girls! Also, our children are continuously practising lighting campfires responsibly for warmth and marshmallows. Did you…
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Sensational Seaweed 2

A variety of seaweed activities at Ocean School to consolidate the learning. Our pupils made seaweed lanterns and suncatchers as well as bio-posters to showcase their knowledge of the local seaweed species! Excellent job EM5-7!
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Handmade With Ocean Love

A sneak peek of Ocean School products at The Christmas Fayre! We will be selling sea salt and seaweed soaps in 3 different scents: Lavender, lemongrass & cinnamon. All the ingredients are 100% natural, vegan and locally sourced. Handmade by EM5-7. We can’t wait to see you all!
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Sensational Seaweed 1

We learnt how to collect scientifically viable seaweed samples and how to differentiate between the different species of seaweed in our local shore. We also learnt how to responsibly light a campfire following the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, and we CERTAINLY enjoyed toasting marshmallows. Did you know that most of the world’s oxygen comes from…
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Rockpool Detectives 2

Another group of rockpool detectives were on duty at Ocean School despite the conditions! We embraced the weather and explored the shore of Loch Dunvegan. We used our detective skills to find a variety of animals. We identified our findings and learnt interesting facts about them. Did you know that limpet teeth are made out…
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Rockpool Detectives 1

Ocean School rockpool detectives were on duty at Loch Dunvegan! We learnt about the importance of rockpooling safely. We also used our detective skills to find some awesome animals! Crabs, fish, oysters, mussels, limpets, whelks, periwinkles, barnacles, chitons, amphipods and many more. The biodiversity of our local shore is amazing.
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