#443: Some knowledge updates needed...

From today's i newspaper...

#442: "Freakosystems"

A piece on the BBC Futures website talks about the impact of people on a Hawaiian island which has produced a very unusual ecosystem.

O'ahu's lowland forests are now almost entirely devoid of the plants and animals that grew here for millions of years before the arrival of humans. Settlers brought extinctions by cutting down trees to make farms and introducing voracious predators and disease-carrying animals. Today, these tropical forests are a tapestry of non-native species introduced from every corner of the planet: Brazilian peppertree, Indonesian cinnamon and roseleaf bramble from the Himalayas and Australia. Most of the animals, including all the birds that Tarwater mentioned earlier, are also alien.

#441: British Ecological Society Summer School - applications now open

 Thanks to Matt from the British Ecological Society for the message he added to my GCSE Natural History blog.

The British Ecological Society are supporters of the Natural History GCSE and want to be ready to support with the teaching of this qualification. I'm a former teacher myself and now work on their education policy/project work.
We are running our free teacher training again this year. The programme includes a trip to Knepp rewilding project. Anyone who teaches ecology and biodiversity as part of their curriculum should apply. I think it will be helpful if you're preparing to teach this GCSE if we can get it over the line!

The Summer School runs from the 18th-19th of July so would make a good start to the year for many.

Application deadline: Wed 30 April 2025, 12:00 BST (midday)
Online session: Wed 09 July 2025, 16:00-17:00 BST
In-person days: Fri 18 – Sat 19 July 2025
Location: Juniper Hall, Old London Road, Mickleham, RH5 6DA

Applications are now open for the 2025 Teacher Training Summer School!

FREE of charge.

If you are a secondary teacher or FE lecturer who teaches ecology as a part of your curriculum, join us in Surrey for an ecology-packed CPD programme that will help you overcome recognised barriers to teaching ecology. This application is open to all – you do not need to be a BES member to apply.

While attending the Teacher Training Summer School you will:

• Engage with industry professionals running workshops on a range of ecological skills
• Network with other educators from a variety of schools and colleges
• Learn strategies to overcome barriers you may experience teaching ecology
• Explore how ecology can be taught using a wide range of learning theories: inclusive learning, interdisciplinary learning, strengthening maths and English skills
• Receive a free bundle of equipment to be used to teach ecology
• Learn more about field work skills through attending a day trip to the Knepp Rewilding Project