We provide hands on science and nature workshops for primary schools, high schools and colleges, designed to bring the science curriculum to life and inspire curiosity about the natural world. Each workshop is fully led by an experienced instructor, with all equipment, supporting resources and risk assessments provided.

Primary school workshops:
We currently offer the following workshops. Please see our website for more details on each:

Habitat Explorers (KS1 & KS2): Hands on nature exploration without a coach trip! Discover the habitats and wildlife found in your school grounds, and find out what you can do to help nature thrive (2 hours)

Fossils and Mary Anning (LKS2): Handle real Jurassic fossils and discover how they were formed. Find out about palaeontologist Mary Anning and her greatest discovery (1 hour)

Fossils and Evolution (UKS2): Handle real Jurassic fossils and find out how they are related to living animals. Discover how fossils can show us species have changed over time (1 hour)

Butterflies: Life Cycles and Habitats (KS1): Discover the fascinating life cycle of the butterfly. Explore the habitats that allow butterflies and other minibeasts to thrive (1 hour classroom workshop, optional 1 hour minibeast hunt)

Naturalist Maria Merian: Life Cycles (UKS2): Discover Maria Merian and her pioneering work on butterfly life cycles. Find out about modern naturalists and follow in their footsteps (1 hour classroom workshop, optional 1 hour minibeast survey)

Many of our workshops take place outdoors, allowing pupils to conduct real scientific investigations in nature.

Our workshops are ideal for focus days / weeks, making curriculum learning memorable, outdoor learning / forest school sessions and ‘hook’ lessons.

GCSE and A level Biology Fieldwork:
Hands on ecological investigation without a coach trip! Study the species found in your school grounds, and how they are impacted by environmental factors and human activities. 

Our workshops meet practical requirements for AQA, Edexcel, OCR and Eduqas (see our website for more details). Workshops take place outdoors, allowing students to design and conduct meaningful ecological investigations in their local environment.

Depending on your individual focus, activities may include:
• Random sampling and belt transects to determine distribution and abundance of plant species
• Random and opportunistic sampling of invertebrates, including using insect pooters
• Measurement of environmental factors
• Calculation of species population
• Classroom based data analysis, presentation and evaluation
• Statistical analysis and calculation of biodiversity for A level groups

About us – Shannon Raponi:
I am the founder of NatureLab, working with schools to impart my passion for the natural world and its protection.

I am a qualified primary school teacher with experience in KS1 and KS2. I have also worked as a field studies instructor and group leader, teaching biology and geography fieldwork to school groups in every year group from KS2 to A level, in addition to a number of volunteer roles with children.

I have a degree in animal behaviour and training, and wildlife conservation and research experience in South Africa. Throughout my career so far I have worked to give children experiences they would not otherwise have, and inspire a love for nature and the outdoors.

LOCATIONS COVERED:
North West England

PRICING:

Primary school workshops:
1 hour workshops are priced at:

£100 for 1 workshop,

£160 for 2 workshops (same day),

£200 for 3 workshops (same day),

£240 for 4 workshops (same day).

2 hour workshops are priced at:

£140 for 1 workshop,

£220 for 2 workshops (same day).

Up to 35 pupils per workshop.

Travel charges apply outside of Lancashire and Merseyside.

GCSE / A level workshops:
Half day workshops are priced at:

£140 for 1 workshop

£240 for 2 workshops on the same day.

Full day workshops are priced at £220.
Up to 35 students per workshop.

Travel charges apply outside of Lancashire and Merseyside.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Please visit our website to find out more, or email info@nature-lab.co.uk

You can also call Shannon at 07804141234