Learning during lockdown

Teaching and learning resources for homeschooling

The British Ecological Society aims to support parents and teachers in teaching ecological sciences during the current pandemic. The below resources are all offered free and provide students of different key stages the opportunity to continue their learning during homeschooling:

Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour  has a number of resources for primary and secondary levels including games, lesson plans, careers resources and videos.

Association for Science Education provide links and resources on various topics including ecology

Back Garden Biology fun lessons by Dr Lindsay Turnbull, Oxford University. Covering practical work in your own garden and guided by an expert to look at theory of everyday biology

Blue Marine Foundation with quizzes, fact sheets, social media interactions and games.

BBC Bitesize have launched daily lessons that include biology and are regularly being updated.

Earth Live Lessons. Worldwide These look great. 117 short videos, each about a different ecology-related subject.

The Field Studies Council and EncounterEdu have teamed up to provide free #fieldworklive lessons giving students the opportunity to take part in real fieldwork around the UK

Kids and Bees have a great Minecraft: Education edition game introducing students to the fascinating lives of bees

Oak National Academy  provides curriculum linked lessons created by teachers and can be searched by subject. Lessons are free and with additional information for parents to access.

MammalWeb provides an opportunity for students to directly contribute to current research. You can act as a spotter and identify wildlife from camera trap images and find useful educational resources.

The Royal Society of Biology organised the Science at Home Festival in November 2020 and there are some great resources from many learned societies, including the BES.

STEMLearning provide primary, 11 – 14 and 14-16 resources which are downloadable once you have signed up for free.

TES offers resources and information to aid in homeschooling from EYFS to key stage 5, many of which have removed fees during the current pandemic. It is possible to search directly for free resources relating to ecology

The Wildlife Trust have some ‘simple things you can do to help wildlife’ and fun activities to do at home

Woodland Trust have been sharing ideas of how to keep children engaged whilst at home. They have a series of blogs and lockdown activity ideas.

Zooniverse provides the opportunity to become a researcher and contribute to real academic research projects through your computer

ZSL London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo have created Zoo School with online learning resources linked to the national curriculum and designed for homeschooling

To add additional resources to the above list please contact Amy Padfield, Education and Engagement Manager