University Event

Science & the Environment Discovery Days for AS & A level students

University event offered by University of Worcester

Event Summary:

Our Science and the Environment Discovery Days offer students the opportunity to try new things in a university setting. Working with academic staff, using the same equipment and facilities we use to conduct our research and teach our undergraduates; participants will gain first-hand experience of studying at a university.

Full Event Details:

DISCOVER ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Conservation Ecology
Number of participants: 10-20
Time: 9.30am-2pm, 5 February, 12 February, 26 February

Conservation Ecology is a hugely important subject as understanding the interactions between organisms and between organisms and the environment is essential if we are to put in to practice useful conservation policies. In this session we will do two exercises.

Small mammal trapping: Traps will be set the night before the Discover Day around the University grounds to investigate the abundance and variety of small mammals in the area. As there are ethical issues surrounding this then we ask that schools or individuals wanting to participate in this session make sure that they can be at the University by no later than 9:30 am.

Owl pellet analysis: We can also estimate the number of small mammals in a given environment by the use of indirect methods. Analysing the remains left by predators can lead us to estimate the diversity of small mammals in a given area. We will dissect owl pellets and try to decipher from jawbones the type of small mammals that have been eaten.

The sessions will also contain material on restoration ecology where we will examine problems associated with restoration ecology and look at the problems and opportunities provided by the recolonisation of the Forest of Dean by wild boar.