Teachers looking for Science-trip inspiration should consider a trip to the Manchester Museum, where a new exhibition called Extinction or Survival will open on 21st October.
Extinction or Survival will run until 20th April 2017, and admission will be free.
Using specimens from the museum’s own collections, as well as objects borrowed from other museums across the north, the exhibition will challenge students to question: how important is it to save biodiversity?
Students will be encouraged to explore the consequences of species loss, consider which animals should be saved if we had a choice, and point out what humans could be doing to make a difference to potential species dying out.
The exhibition will also display case studies outlining ways in which people have influenced the survival of animal and plant species.
School groups will be able to learn about iconic extinct species such as the dodo, along with lesser-known creatures such as the giant earwig.
The Extinction or Survival exhibition uses extinct animals and plants to demonstrate why species are pushed to extinction, from over-exploitation to habitat fragmentation – so pupils learning about this Science-related topic will be able to use the exhibits as resources to support learning upon return to the classroom.
Evolutionary biologist and broadcaster, Dr Ben Garrod, is set to open Extinction or Survival on 20th October.
Garrod has presented television shows including Attenborough and the Giant Dinosaur with Sir David Attenborough at the BBC, in addition to his own programme, the BBC Four series Secrets of Bones.
About Manchester Museum
Manchester Museum, part of The University of Manchester, boasts a collection of about 4.5 million items from every continent.
Each year, the museum provides a schools programme to approximately 30,000 children, with workshops and talks available for all Key Stages in a wide range of subjects.
For further information visit www.manchester.ac.uk/museum.
Photo credit: Paul Cliff Photography
