Field Studies & Outdoor EducationSailing & CanoeingEnvironmental Research & MonitoringHolidays - Meetings & Conferences
Field Studies Home Page
News
About Us
Facilities
Location
Field Study Courses
INSET & Open Days
Outdoor Activities
isle of Wight
Price and Availability
resources
Safety
Weather Station
Work with us
Links
Contact Us

 

 

Isle of Wight Schools & Youth Groups


Mobile Field Studies Unit


This four year project, started in July 2003, was funded by Leader+.

Taking the advice to "Get Out More" literally, the Eco-Challenger, Medina Valley Centre's duel fuel LDV van uniquely converted into a mobile field centre, has been travelling the roads and lanes of the Isle of Wight since 2003. 

Funded initially by Leader+, the project is now in the second phase. The van is equipped with a variety of innovative field survey equipment designed for school use. Two solar PV panels and a wind generator to charge batteries, providing an off-site power source.  The vehicle, with a member of staff, is available to visit your school, youth club, community or public event throughout the year.  Contact us to find out current costs of hire and to discuss ways in which we can provide 'hands-on' and innovative approaches to learning outdoors!EcoChallenger at the Needles

2007-2008 Workshops for Island Teachers

Workshops are for teachers who are keen to develop skills and ideas to maximise the potential of the outdoor classroom, specifically in Science and Geography. Workshops are for teachers of all key stages and are held at Medina Valley Centre.

Download pdf with more information:
2007-8 Teachers Workshops

AS and A Level Environmental Science for Isle of Wight Schools

Boat work on environmental science course

Medina Valley Centre is pleased to offer students the opportunity for studying AS and A Level Environmental Science in partnership with the Newport-Cowes cluster.

The County Show

Educational Activities

Part of the Leader + funded Eco-Challenger Project. The construction of solar and wind-powered toys has been a popular activity with many schools and for the last 2 years we have coordinated the Isle of Wight heat for the Hampshire Solar Car Challenge.

We also run activities based on the Minerals, Rocks & Soils of the Isle of Wight and we are often invited into Primary Schools to assist with bird clubs, butterfly gardening and other activities. We have been involved in the planting of disease resistant (not GM) elms in some school grounds, replacing trees lost to disease and saltmarsh fieldwork for AS Geography students.

River dipping at Pan Using high-tech magnifying equipment

Long-term Projects

Part of the Leader + funded Eco-Challenger Project. In 2005 a project with Brading Primary School and the Community Rail Partnership, with the support of Brading Town Council, involved Year 3 and 4 children studying the wetland to the east of Brading Station.  The project culminated with the production of a Walks From Rails leaflet by the children highlighting the superb variety of birds visiting the marshes during the winter and spring.

Walks from Rails leaflet no. 6 - Wetland Wonders (PDF document)

Environmental games Walking in the wetland

Part of the Leader + funded Eco-Challenger Project. In 2006-7 we worked in partnership with Cowes Primary school by supporting Year 3s' 'Creative Curriculum' throughout the year. In the autumn term, children carried out a variety of activities around the school grounds based on weather, microclimate and trees to get them used to observing thei.r immediate environment plus a visit to bird watch at Newtown Nature Reserve. In the summer term children spent a week exploring the 'secret life' of St Mary's churchyard; children's work on birds, lichens, trees and minibeasts were displayed for a family day with a visit from the IOW Bat Hospital as well as 'Eco Challenger'. 

Can you help?

The EcoChallenger project has been funded and supported for four years by the European Leader+ Scheme and has been a great benefit to the Isle of Wight community. This funding has now ended. Can you help support this valuable resource for local schools and the Island community?

 Planting disease resistant elm trees River dipping at the zoo
View and print
Adobe PDF files

Free Adobe Reader® software lets anyone view and print Adobe PDF files.