#462: The Observologist

Possibly not one to use as a GCSE text but certainly one which has a lot of interesting ideas for exploring wildlife and nature and paying attention to our surroundings.

By Giselle Clarkson.

An observologist is someone who makes scientific expeditions, albeit very small ones, every day. They notice interesting details in the world around them. They are expert at finding tiny creatures, plants and fungi. They know that water snails glide upside down on the undersurface of the water; not all flies have wings; earthworms have bristles; butterflies taste with their feet.

The Observologist puts over 100 small creatures and features of the natural world under the microscope, piquing our curiosity with only the most interesting facts. Subjects range from slugs, ants and seeds, fungi and flies through to bees and bird poop.

But this is no everyday catalogue of creatures. It is an antidote to boredom, an invitation out of the digital world and screentime, an encouragement to observe our environment, with care and curiosity, wherever we are.

Facts combine with comics, detailed illustrations, science and funny stories in this unique, warm and fascinating account of the small things all around us. Graphic and comic illustrations with funny talking insects make this a playful and informative book for 7- to 11-year-olds and one to be treasured in the classroom.

Giselle Clarkson has a comics and conservation background. Through her unique sensibility you’ll find that once you start thinking small, there’s no limit to what you can notice—right under your nose.

I have a copy in my classroom, ready for use with younger students.

#275: Sharon Witt and Helen Clarke

I've been inspired by so many people over the years, and particularly by the conference presentations of Sharon Witt and Helen Clarke at GA Conferences, GTE and Charney Manor over the years. 

They recently presented on how we need to give attention to place, and in particular to our interactions with the 'more than human' world.

Here's some ideas for paying attention when out on a field walk, which might be of interest when it comes to planning some walks around the schoool site and immediate area to scope out its potential for a site for fieldwork, or to take part in the various activities suggested by the National Education Nature Park.

I'm reminded of this diagram, which has been shared lots of times over the years. It was taken from a newspaper article, and linked to my local area of Rotherham where I grew up - hence my additional interest in the story. It shows how the area that young people are free to wander in has shrunk over the years. I referenced this in my GA Presidential lecture as well.

Check out the work of Attention 2 Place here.

#190: 'Local'

Out in January 2024, the latest book from Al Humphreys will be published.

After years of expeditions all over the world, adventurer Alastair Humphreys spends a year exploring the detailed local map around his home.

Can this unassuming landscape, marked by the glow of city lights and the hum of busy roads, hold any surprises for the world traveller or satisfy his wanderlust? Could a single map provide a lifetime of exploration?

Discovering more about the natural world than in all his years in remote environments, he learns the value of truly getting to know his neighbourhood.

An ode to slowing down, Local is a celebration of curiosity and time spent outdoors, as well as a rallying cry to protect the wild places on our doorstep.

This sounds like it might have some good connections with the ideas in the GCSE Natural History.

Why not get out your own local OS sheet?

Mine is OS Explorer 238. 

There's certainly plenty of interest on that map sheet alone that could keep you going. An Explorer sheet covers an area of hundreds of square kilometres which would certainly take more than a year to thoroughly explore.

Available from Al's own website.

You can find out about Al's methodology and thinking around his local exploration here.

This is an area I may return to myself.

I have my copy and can confirm it's a really good read and have already made a few notes and downloaded a few apps that Al recomments, some of which will appear on this blog.