Educational Materials for Schools
Welcome to Weird and Wonderful Animal Conservation’s educational resource hub! At WAWA, we envision a world where even the strangest and most unique species are valued and protected. We believe this begins with reconnecting people to nature, fostering curiosity, and instilling a love for the natural world from an early age.
Our Educational Philosophy
Traditional environmental education has long relied on the idea that increasing knowledge about nature will naturally lead to a desire to protect it. While understanding the natural world is crucial, research suggests that forming an emotional connection with nature, known as nature connectedness, is even more effective in encouraging environmentally-friendly behaviours. This is why our educational materials focus on building this connection, helping children explore how nature makes them feel and inspiring a lifelong passion for conservation.
What You’ll Find
Our resources are designed for children aged five and up, making it easy for educators and parents to use them in classrooms or at home. These activities are suitable for all learning levels, including those with additional needs. Each activity includes a guidance sheet with step-by-step instructions and ideas on how to incorporate it into broader lessons. Here’s a summary of what each resource offers:
- Find Something
- Description: Encourages children to use all their senses to connect deeply with nature. This activity includes two sheets for participants to engage with nature, drawing what they observe and sharing their experiences.
- Download: Find Something
- Nature Match
- Description: Helps children appreciate the details in nature by matching random shapes and patterns from their cards to those they find in the environment. It fosters close observation and sharing among participants.
- Download: Nature Match
- Senses
- Description: Promotes the use of all senses (except taste) to explore nature, enhancing sensory experiences and personal memories linked to natural objects. This can be extended to foraging and outdoor cooking under safe conditions.
- Download: Senses
Free and Flexible Access
We believe that knowledge should be accessible to all. Therefore, our educational materials are available for free download. We operate on a pay-what-you-want model, allowing you to choose the value of these resources. Your donations help us continue developing high-quality educational content and support our conservation efforts. Simply use the donation box on the right side of this page to contribute whatever amount you feel is appropriate.
Your generosity not only supports the creation of more educational materials but also plays a vital role in our mission to protect critically endangered species worldwide. Thank you for your support!
Supporting Teachers and Parents
Each resource comes with detailed instructions and tips for maximising the learning experience. We also offer additional support through our online community, where you can share experiences, ask questions, and receive advice from our team of conservation educators.
Join Our Community
We invite you to join our growing community of educators, parents, and conservation enthusiasts. By sharing your experiences and feedback, you help us improve our resources and make a greater impact. Connect with us on social media, sign up for our newsletter, or send us an email.
Together, we can inspire the next generation to love and protect our planet’s incredible wildlife. Thank you for being a part of this important journey.
For any questions or further information, please contact us at admin@wawa.org.uk.
Happy exploring!