WORKSHOPS

Super Senses

A relaxed session where students will be able to explore their senses by learning about different animals. We will discover different types of animals and use artefacts to understand the differences between them, looking at the textures of feathers, scales and fur. Children will also have the chance to put their senses to the test and compare them to animals abilities.

Clawsome Classification

A case study style workshop where students will look closely at one of our animals at Chessington. We will look at the different ways that we may classify this animal, by looking into taxonomy, behaviour, diet, and habitat. Students will get the chance to handle animal artefacts including replica animal skulls, and will use information learnt from these to understand classification.

Learning Outcomes:

• To identify a variety of animals and compare differences between them
• To understand that animals can be grouped in different ways

Curriculum Points:

• identify and name a variety of common animals including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals
• identify and name a variety of common animals that are carnivores, herbivores and omnivores
• using their observations to compare and contrast animals at first hand or through videos and photographs, describing how they identify and group them
• grouping animals according to what they eat

Ferocious Food Chains

Using a variety of hands on and discussion-based activities and games, including being able get hands on with animal artefacts including skulls, students will begin to understand predators and prey, along with how animals fit into a food chain.

Learning Outcomes:

• To identify a variety of animals and the diet they eat
• To understand the differences between carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores
• To begin to create basic food chains and understand that animals get their energy from their food

Curriculum Points:

• identify and name a variety of common animals that are carnivores, herbivores and omnivores
• identify and name a variety of common animals including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals
• grouping animals according to what they eat
• describe how animals obtain their food from plants and other animals, using the idea of a simple food chain, and identify and name different sources of food
• identify that most living things live in habitats to which they are suited and describe how different habitats provide for the basic needs of different kinds of animals and plants, and how they depend on each other
• find out about and describe the basic needs of animals, including humans, for survival (water, food and air)

Animal CSI

Can you help us solve the mystery of the missing food? Students will use facts about a variety of different animals and clues linked to animal adaptations to solve a mystery. This session will introduce the idea of habitats and animals existing together, and will look into animal diets and adaptations.

Learning Outcomes:

• To be able to identify a variety of animals, and their habitats and diets
• To start understanding how animals are adapted to their habitats and how there are similarities between species in the same habitats

Curriculum Points:

• identify and name a variety of common animals including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals
• identify and name a variety of common animals that are carnivores, herbivores and omnivores
• pupils should use the local environment throughout the year to explore and answer questions about animals in their habitat
• identify that most living things live in habitats to which they are suited and describe how different habitats provide for the basic needs of different kinds of animals and plants, and how they depend on each other
• find out about and describe the basic needs of animals, including humans, for survival (water, food and air)

Clawsome Classification

A case study style workshop where students will look closely at one of our animals at Chessington. We will look at the different ways that we may classify this animal, by looking into taxonomy, behaviour, diet, and habitat. Students will get the chance to handle animal artefacts including replica animal skulls, and will use information learnt from these to understand classification.

Learning Outcomes:

• To understand that animals can be grouped in a variety of different ways, and why they fit into these groups
• To start looking at food chains and the differences in diet of different animals

Curriculum Points:

• compare and contrast the diets of different animals (including their pets) and decide ways of grouping them according to what they eat
• recognise that living things can be grouped in a variety of ways
• explore and use classification keys to help group, identify and name a variety of living things in their local and wider environment
• construct and interpret a variety of food chains, identifying producers, predators and prey
• describe how living things are classified into broad groups according to common observable characteristics and based on similarities and differences, including micro-organisms, plants and animals
• give reasons for classifying plants and animals based on specific characteristics
• Pupils might work scientifically by: using classification systems and keys to identify some animals and plants in the immediate environment.
• recognise that living things have changed over time and that fossils provide information about living things that inhabited the Earth millions of years ago

Ferocious Food Chains

Using a variety of hands on and discussion-based activities and games, including being able get hands on with animal artefacts including skulls, students will begin to understand predators and prey, along with how animals fit into a food chain.

Learning Outcomes:

• To identify different animals and the differences in their diets
• To be able to understand adaptations of different animals that link to their diet
• To be able to create food chains with a variety of species and to understand producers and consumers

Curriculum Points:

• identify that animals, including humans, need the right types and amount of nutrition, and that they cannot make their own food; they get nutrition from what they eat
• Pupils might work scientifically by: comparing the teeth of carnivores and herbivores and suggesting reasons for differences; finding out what damages teeth and how to look after them.
• recognise that living things can be grouped in a variety of ways
• identify the different types of teeth (in humans) and their simple functions
• construct and interpret a variety of food chains, identifying producers, predators and prey

Animal Habitats and Adaptation

Students will learn about animal habitats and adaptations through a variety of hands on and discussion-based activities including being able get hands on with animal artefacts including skulls. With a focus in on some of the African species that we have here at Chessington, students will get a closer look at how they survive in their habitats, why and how they look different. 

Learning Outcomes:

• To identify a variety of different animals, and the habitats that they live in
• To understand that animals are adapted to their habitat, and how those adaptations are beneficial

Curriculum Points:

• identify that animals, including humans, need the right types and amount of nutrition, and that they cannot make their own food; they get nutrition from what they eat
• recognise that environments can change and that this can sometimes pose dangers to living things
• comparing the teeth of carnivores and herbivores and suggesting reasons for differences
• identify how animals and plants are adapted to suit their environment in different ways and that adaptation may lead to evolution

Endangered species and their conservation

Using a variety of listening and active activities, students will be able to find out about some of the most endangered animals we have here at Chessington, including why they are endangered and what exactly this means. We will look into how extinction can affect an entire ecosystem with a hands-on activity, introducing the idea that all life relies on each other. They will then learn about how we can help endangered species by looking at Conservation out in the wild, here at the zoo, and even what they can do at home!

Learning Outcomes:

• To understand what endangered means, and to be able to identify some endangered species
• To understand why animals may become endangered
• An introduction to conservation, what this means, and how humans can help endangered species and habitats

Curriculum Points:

• recognise that living things have changed over time

Fantastic Forces

During this workshop, we will look at some of the different examples of forces, and the way that they used in the operation of rides at the resort. We will also discuss the use of forces in nature, by looking at some of the most extreme animals on the planet. We will then demonstrate examples of these forces in action with practical activities.

Learning Outcomes:

• To be able to identify different types of forces
• To understand how these forces are used in action, specifically in our rides here at Chessington

Curriculum Points:

• compare how things move on different surfaces
• notice that some forces need contact between 2 objects, but magnetic forces can act at a distance
• explain that unsupported objects fall towards the Earth because of the force of gravity acting between the Earth and the falling object
• identify the effects of air resistance, water resistance and friction, that act between moving surfaces
• recognise that some mechanisms including levers, pulleys and gears allow a smaller force to have a greater effect

Clawsome Classification

A case study style workshop where students will look closely at one of our animals at Chessington. We will look at the different ways that we may classify this animal, by looking into taxonomy, behaviour, diet, and habitat. Students will get the chance to handle animal artefacts including replica animal skulls, and will use information learnt from these to understand classification.

Learning Outcomes:

• To understand that animals can be grouped in a variety of different ways, and why they fit into these groups
• To identify variation between and within species, and understand how this makes animals suited to their lifestyle

Curriculum Points:

• differences between species
• the variation between species and between individuals of the same species meaning some organisms compete more successfully, which can drive natural selection
• changes in the environment which may leave individuals within a species, and some entire species, less well adapted to compete successfully and reproduce, which in turn may lead to extinction

Epic Ecosystems

Using a variety of hands on and discussion-based activities and games, including being able get hands on with animal artefacts including skulls, students will begin to understand predators and prey, along with how animals fit into an ecosystem. We will touch on mutualistic relationships, food chains, and interdependence of species on each other. This will help students understand why every animal is important, with a brief look at conservation.

Learning Outcomes:

• To begin to understand photosynthesis, and its importance within the food chain
• To understand the importance of biodiversity and the way each animal fits into the ecosystem
• To identify different ecosystems and some of the species that live within them

Curriculum Points:

• the dependence of almost all life on Earth on the ability of photosynthetic organisms, such as plants and algae
• the interdependence of organisms in an ecosystem, including food webs and insect pollinated crops
• how organisms affect, and are affected by, their environment
• the importance of maintaining biodiversity

Animal Habitats and Adaptation

Students will learn about animal habitats and adaptations through a variety of hands on and discussion-based activities including being able get hands on with animal artefacts including skulls. With a focus in on some of the African species that we have here at Chessington, students will get a closer look at how they survive in their habitats, why and how they look different. 

Learning Outcomes:

• To identify a variety of different animals, and the habitats that they live in
• To understand that animals are adapted to their habitat, and how those adaptations are beneficial

Curriculum Points:

• identify that animals, including humans, need the right types and amount of nutrition, and that they cannot make their own food; they get nutrition from what they eat
• recognise that environments can change and that this can sometimes pose dangers to living things
• comparing the teeth of carnivores and herbivores and suggesting reasons for differences
• identify how animals and plants are adapted to suit their environment in different ways and that adaptation may lead to evolution

Endangered species and their conservation

Through an investigation style activity, students will be use clues and evidence to find out about some of the most endangered animals we have here at Chessington, including why they are endangered and what exactly this means. They will then work together to figure out what we can do to help these species out in the wild, and we will look at conservation in the wild, at the zoo, and at home, with brief discussion about sustainability and the effects of social media.

Learning Outcomes:

• To understand what endangered means, and to be able to identify some endangered species
• To understand why animals may become endangered
• An introduction to conservation, what this means, and how humans can help endangered species and habitats

Curriculum Points:

• recognise that living things have changed over time

Fantastic Forces

During this workshop, we will look at some of the different examples of forces, and the way that they used in the operation of rides at the resort. We will also discuss the use of forces in nature, by looking at some of the most extreme animals on the planet. We will then demonstrate examples of these forces in action with practical activities.

Learning Outcomes:

• To be able to identify different types of forces
• To understand how these forces are used in action, specifically in our rides here at Chessington

Curriculum Points:

• simple machines give bigger force but at the expense of smaller movement (and vice versa): product of force and displacement unchanged
• other processes that involve energy transfer: changing motion, dropping an object
• speed and the quantitative relationship between average speed, distance and time (speed = distance ÷ time)
• forces as pushes or pulls, arising from the interaction between 2 objects
• forces: associated with deforming objects; stretching and squashing – springs; with rubbing and friction between surfaces, with pushing things out of the way; resistance to motion of air and water
• non-contact forces: gravity forces acting at a distance
• forces being needed to cause objects to stop or start moving, or to change their speed or direction of motion

Clawsome Classification

A case study style workshop where students will look closely at one of our animals at Chessington. We will look closely at the animal’s taxonomy, and students will get the chance to handle animal artefacts including replica animal skulls. Students will then use the information learnt to figure out what the animal is based on its classification.

Learning Outcomes:

• To focus in on the taxonomy of a particular species, and look at how it is related to others
• To look at the adaptations that have evolved in this species and why those adaptations help

Curriculum Points:

• evolution occurs by the process of natural selection and accounts both for biodiversity and how organisms are all related to varying degrees
• the characteristics of a living organism are influenced by its genome and its interaction with the environment
• the process of natural selection leading to evolution
• the evidence for evolution
• developments in biology affecting classification
• Planning to deliver this one as a case file. Focus in on a particular species and look back at its taxonomy, evolution, and introduction to genetics

Epic Ecosystems

Using a variety of hands on and discussion-based activities and games, including being able get hands on with animal artefacts including skulls, students will begin to understand predators and prey, along with how animals fit into an ecosystem. We will touch on mutualistic relationships, food chains, and interdependence of species on each other. This will help students understand why every animal is important, with a brief look at conservation.

Learning Outcomes:

• To understand the importance of biodiversity and the how each species fits into it
• To understand that animals interact and depend on each other within an ecosystem, and that each is adapted to its role.

Curriculum Points:

• living organisms may form populations of single species, communities of many species and ecosystems, interacting with each other, with the environment and with humans in many different ways
• living organisms are interdependent and show adaptations to their environment
• levels of organisation within an ecosystem
• some abiotic and biotic factors which affect communities; the importance of interactions between organisms in a community
• how materials cycle through abiotic and biotic components of ecosystems
• the role of microorganisms (decomposers) in the cycling of materials through an ecosystem
• organisms are interdependent and are adapted to their environment
• the importance of biodiversity

Animal Habitats and Adaptation

A debate style workshop which will involve a short talk, then a groupwork task in which students will work together to discover adaptations of animals that we have at Chessington. They will create a case for why their given species is the best adapted out of the group. There will also be a short introduction to threats faced by these species in the wild and conservation.

Learning Outcomes:

• To understand that animals are adapted to their habitat, and how those adaptations are beneficial
• To be able to understand some of the positive and negative effects of these adaptations, and that there is often a compromise to make in adaptation

Curriculum Points:

• some abiotic and biotic factors which affect communities; the importance of interactions between organisms in a community
• organisms are interdependent and are adapted to their environment
• the importance of biodiversity
• living organisms may form populations of single species, communities of many species and ecosystems, interacting with each other, with the environment and with humans in many different ways
• living organisms are interdependent and show adaptations to their environment

Endangered species and their conservation

Through an investigation style activity, students will be use clues and evidence to find out about some of the most endangered animals we have here at Chessington, including why they are endangered and what exactly this means. They will then work together to figure out what we can do to help these species out in the wild, and we will look at conservation in the wild, at the zoo, and at home, with brief discussion about sustainability and the effects of social media.

Learning Outcomes:

• To understand the importance of biodiversity and how each species interacts with each other within an ecosystem
• To understand the positive and negative impacts humans can have on an ecosystem, and how these can affect endangered species
• To understand what conservation is, and what we can do for conservation of endangered species

Curriculum Points:

• positive and negative human interactions with ecosystems
• the importance of biodiversity
• methods of identifying species and measuring distribution, frequency and abundance of species within a habitat
• living organisms may form populations of single species, communities of many species and ecosystems, interacting with each other, with the environment and with humans in many different ways

Business & Tourism

A classroom-based workshop where we will be looking at what goes on behind the scenes at Chessington World of Adventures and even Merlin Entertainments from a business perspective to understand how we are able to create, develop and continue the magic. There will be insights into how we market ourselves through advertising and the different platforms available to us, as well as an opportunity to put those skills into action.

Learning Outcomes:

• To understand the Merlin Entertainments business, and how it operates
• An introduction to the different departments, needs, and opportunities that go into running a business

Curriculum Points:

• different types of leisure and tourism organisations
• the reasons why people use leisure and tourism facilities;
• how leisure and tourism organisations operate as businesses;
• the rapid pace of change in the UK leisure and tourism industry
• employment opportunities in the leisure and tourism industry;
• the importance of recognising similarities and differences of
• attitudes and cultures
• where people go in their leisure time and why they select their
• chosen destination(s)
• visitor attractions and activities, both in the UK and internationally

Clawsome Classification

A case study style workshop where students will look closely at one of our animals at Chessington. We will look closely at the animal’s taxonomy, and students will get the chance to handle animal artefacts including replica animal skulls. Students will then use the information learnt to figure out what the animal is based on its classification.

Learning Outcomes:

• To focus in on the taxonomy of a particular species, and look at how it is related to others
• To look at the adaptations that have evolved in this species and why those adaptations help

Curriculum Points:

• evolution occurs by the process of natural selection and accounts both for biodiversity and how organisms are all related to varying degrees
• the characteristics of a living organism are influenced by its genome and its interaction with the environment
• the process of natural selection leading to evolution
• the evidence for evolution
• developments in biology affecting classification
• Planning to deliver this one as a case file. Focus in on a particular species and look back at its taxonomy, evolution, and introduction to genetics

Epic Ecosystems

Using a variety of hands on and discussion-based activities and games, including being able get hands on with animal artefacts including skulls, students will begin to understand predators and prey, along with how animals fit into an ecosystem. We will touch on mutualistic relationships, food chains, and interdependence of species on each other. This will help students understand why every animal is important, with a brief look at conservation.

Learning Outcomes:

• To understand the importance of biodiversity and the how each species fits into it
• To understand that animals interact and depend on each other within an ecosystem, and that each is adapted to its role.

Curriculum Points:

• living organisms may form populations of single species, communities of many species and ecosystems, interacting with each other, with the environment and with humans in many different ways
• living organisms are interdependent and show adaptations to their environment
• levels of organisation within an ecosystem
• some abiotic and biotic factors which affect communities; the importance of interactions between organisms in a community
• how materials cycle through abiotic and biotic components of ecosystems
• the role of microorganisms (decomposers) in the cycling of materials through an ecosystem
• organisms are interdependent and are adapted to their environment
• the importance of biodiversity

Animal Habitats and Adaptation

A debate style workshop which will involve a short talk, then a groupwork task in which students will work together to discover adaptations of animals that we have at Chessington. They will create a case for why their given species is the best adapted out of the group. There will also be a short introduction to threats faced by these species in the wild and conservation.

Learning Outcomes:

• To understand that animals are adapted to their habitat, and how those adaptations are beneficial
• To be able to understand some of the positive and negative effects of these adaptations, and that there is often a compromise to make in adaptation

Curriculum Points:

• some abiotic and biotic factors which affect communities; the importance of interactions between organisms in a community
• organisms are interdependent and are adapted to their environment
• the importance of biodiversity
• living organisms may form populations of single species, communities of many species and ecosystems, interacting with each other, with the environment and with humans in many different ways
• living organisms are interdependent and show adaptations to their environment

Endangered species and their conservation

Through an investigation style activity, students will be use clues and evidence to find out about some of the most endangered animals we have here at Chessington, including why they are endangered and what exactly this means. They will then work together to figure out what we can do to help these species out in the wild, with the limitations of cost, time, and prioritising being introduced. We will look at conservation in the wild, at the zoo, and at home, with brief discussion about sustainability and the effects of social media.

Learning Outcomes:

• To understand the importance of biodiversity and how each species interacts with each other within an ecosystem
• To understand the positive and negative impacts humans can have on an ecosystem, and how these can affect endangered species
• To understand what conservation is, and what we can do for conservation of endangered species

Curriculum Points:

• positive and negative human interactions with ecosystems
• the importance of biodiversity
• methods of identifying species and measuring distribution, frequency and abundance of species within a habitat
• living organisms may form populations of single species, communities of many species and ecosystems, interacting with each other, with the environment and with humans in many different ways

ZOO ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

This workshop is aimed at those in post 16 study and higher education. It is particularly good for those studying Psychology, Behaviour, Biology, or an Animal Related Study.

A flexible workshop that can be focussed on one or more subjects surrounding zoo animal husbandry. You can choose to have a general workshop looking over a variety of different parts of zoo life, or focus in on Animal Training, Behaviour, Enrichment, or Enclosure Design. The first half of this workshop is classroom based, and will allow students to understand how zoo animals are cared for and how we keep animal welfare high, then we will finish off with an exciting practical element utilising what they have learnt (this varies depending on subject choice).

BUSINESS & TOURISM

A classroom-based workshop where we will be looking at what goes on behind the scenes at Chessington World of Adventures and even Merlin Entertainments from a business perspective to understand how we are able to create, develop and continue the magic. There will be insights into how we market ourselves through advertising and the different platforms available to us, as well as an opportunity to put those skills into action.

Learning Outcomes:

• To understand the Merlin Entertainments business, and how it operates
• An introduction to the different departments, needs, and opportunities that go into running a business

Curriculum Points:

• different types of leisure and tourism organisations
• the reasons why people use leisure and tourism facilities;
• how leisure and tourism organisations operate as businesses;
• the rapid pace of change in the UK leisure and tourism industry
• employment opportunities in the leisure and tourism industry;
• the importance of recognising similarities and differences of
• attitudes and cultures
• where people go in their leisure time and why they select their
• chosen destination(s)
• visitor attractions and activities, both in the UK and internationally