Schools Film Project

Making movies!

We've teamed up with film-makers Media Education to deliver a fantastic film-making project for primary schools.  The pupils discover all about invasive non-native species and then learn all about film making. They decide what their film is going to be about and then write their story-boards, produce their props and scripts and finally pick up their cameras and shoot their footage. You can read their film bio's and watch the movies below. 

Huge thanks to all our schools (and class teachers!) who put so much effort into making these movies - which will now help raise awareness about invasive species and their impacts. 

Introduction to Biosecurity - Bualnaluib Primary School

17 pupils from the P5-7 class from Bualnaluib Primary School took part in the creation of this film.

The film features Bioboy and his friends - Cherry Check, Captain Clean and Daisy Dry. We hear all about biosecurity in Wester Ross and how to protect our natural environment.

The class also tells us all about invasive species including American crayfish, giant hogweed and killer shrimp. Pupils interview Conor, from Ewe Canoe, who explains how to clean kayaks and kit to stop the spread of invasive species.

Introduction to Giant Hogweed - Kellands Primary School

Pupils from the P7 classes in Kellands Primary School were involved in the creation of this film.

In the film the pupils tell the story of how the Victorians brought giant hogweed to Scotland, how it can spread and what we can do to prevent this. We hear all about the health risks to people and how sheep can be used to control it!

The film features Jane Lilley from the River Dee Trust and Karen from the River Deveron Trust / Scottish Invasive Species Initiative. Pupils also interview Colin, a beekeeper, who tells us about bees and hogweed.

Introduction to the River Don - Kellands Primary School

Pupils from the P7 classes in Kellands Primary School were involved in the creation of this film.

The pupils tell us all about the River Don, the native species found there and the impacts of invasive non-native species on the river. We hear about Himalayan balsam - how it spreads, impacts native flowers and leads to riverbank erosion - and about American mink and the disastrous effects they have on native water vole populations.

We also hear from Jamie Urquhart from the River Dee Trust who tells us more about these invasive non-native species and what we can do to help.

Japanese Knotweed - by Milnes Primary School

Pupils from the P7 class in Milnes Primary School created this film.

In the film the pupils tell us all about Japanese knotweed - how it came to Scotland, the features of the plant, and what to do if you find it. We get to hear an exclusive interview with 'Japanese knotweed' and we see Plantbusters coming to the aid of wildflowers who were overrun by a knotweed invasion.

The film also features James Symonds from the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative, who tells us all about why invasive non-native species are a problem, the importance of biosecurity and how to tackle Japanese knotweed with herbicides.

 

The story of American Mink in Scotland  -  Scourie Primary School

All of the P2-P7 class from Scourie Primary School took part in the creation of this film (all 11 of them!). 

Whilst learning about invasive non-native species the pupils were inspired by hearing the story about a single American mink found and trapped on the nearby wildlife reserve island of Handa.  They decided to find out more about mink and make their film about them.

In the film the class tell the story of how American mink established in Scotland, all about mink, the finding of the mink on Handa Island and the devastating impacts of mink on water voles.

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You might also be interested in

Could you become an Alien Detective? Are you interested in getting some training in invasive species removal?
Our Alien Detectives resource pack is packed full of fun activities and games to help you learn about invasive species
Find out more about the American mink, how to identify it, what impacts it is having and previous mink control projects.

 

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