On Wednesday, we - Prof Tessa Smith, PhD student Lucy Morison, and Dr Camilla Soravia - ventured out of our lab to visit Duddon St Peter’s Primary School, hoping to bring our passion for bats to the children at school. We were greeted with a lot of enthusiasm and countless raised hands, which made it an amazing morning for all of us!
Why Bats Are Nature’s Heroes
We gave four talks to children aged 5 to 11, highlighting why bats are vital to ecosystems and the planet and introducing their unique traits.
The children learned that bats:
🦟 Control insect populations, acting as natural pest controllers.
🌸 Pollinate flowers, supporting biodiversity.
🌱 Disperse seeds, helping plants grow in new areas.
👨👩👧👦 Are amazing parents, caring for their young.
💞 Are social creatures with lots of friends.
Exploring Echolocation and Conservation
For the older children (aged 7 - 11), the team delved deeper into bats' incredible ability to navigate in darkness using echolocation. The children also discussed threats that bats face, including increased light and noise pollution, and habitat loss, learning simple ways to help protect these remarkable animals.
Hands-On Creativity
To round out the day, the children channelled their enthusiasm into creative activities:
✂️ Making their own origami bats.
🎨 Following a step-by-step guide to draw a bat.
These activities sparked discussions about the anatomy of bats and gave us all a chance to put our craft skills to the test!
Inspiring Future Scientists
It was a privilege for our team to visit Duddon St Peter’s Primary School and inspire the next generation of scientists and conservationists. Changing perceptions about bats and fostering a sense of curiosity and care for wildlife is crucial to their protection.
A big thank you to Duddon St Peter’s Primary School for welcoming us and to the children for their enthusiasm and curiosity. We are also grateful to our supporters, including the Leverhulme Trust and the School of Natural Sciences, for making this outreach event possible.
What’s Next?
We hope this visit will cultivate a lifelong interest in wildlife conservation among the children. After all, the future of our planet rests in the hands of these young minds.
Want to learn more about bats or how you can get involved in conservation? Follow us for updates on our next outreach events! 🦇
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