Education Projects

At present the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust has a range of educational projects underway. From 2001-2004, using funding under the NÀDAIR (Nature and Sustainable Development in the Argyll Islands) scheme, there have been two very exciting major projects: the Marine Interpretation and Education project and the Marine Outreach Project.

All projects under the NÀDAIR scheme focus on the sustainable development of the outstanding natural, archaeological, historical, cultural and geological interests of the Argyll islands whilst protecting existing jobs and creating new employment opportunities. Funding comes mainly from the Heritage Lottery Fund with additional funding from Scottish National Heritage and the Argyll Islands Enterprise.

The Marine Interpretation and Education Project

The interpretation of the Argyll Islands marine environment and the production of educational materials is the main focus of this project. This has resulted in the purchase by HWDT of life-sized inflatable models of a minke whale and a bottlenose dolphin, and dolphin and puffin costumes. These have become well-known and popular members of the education team and are welcomed enthusiastically wherever they go!

Not only are they fun and attractive but they are a very useful teaching tool showing accurately the body structure of a cetacean and illustrating the great size of these mammals. Used alongside the display boards and PowerPoint presentations which we have produced, they are able to demonstrate to everyone, from toddlers to their grandparents, how important it is for us to work to protect these magnificent creatures and their marine environment.

We have also produced a beautiful educational video with stunning shots of these cetaceans in their natural habitats which will be distributed to schools and other educational establishments throughout the Argyll Islands as well as being used by our educational team to further illustrate the marine environment of this area and the marine mammals which inhabit it.

Video downlods are available, select the version most compatible with your connection:

A copy of this video on CD can be obtained from the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust by emailing the education team.

In addition to these educational materials we have also produced interpretative booklets on the islands of Coll and Tiree which are being distributed for use by locals and visitors alike. Further booklets and written materials are in the process of being produced including materials for use by local wildlife tour operators and for public talks and events.

At our Discovery Centre in Tobermory we have developed a large environmental and educational library consisting of publications related to the local area, its flora, fauna and geology. Regular subscriptions are made to relevant scientific periodicals and all these materials are available for use by local students and the general public. In the future we intend to produce a database of all the environmental and local libraries on Mull and the materials which they contain.

Maintaining this library and the Discovery Centre is one further aspect of this project. The centre is visited by enormous numbers of tourists and contains visual and interactive interpretative and educational materials aimed at the general public and children. It is also used regularly by local school children. The aim is to raise the awareness of the range of cetaceans inhabiting this area and to stimulate interest in the marine environment. There are regular educational displays and tanks of salt and fresh water life. Microscopes are set up to allow the viewing of the tiny micro organisms which are so vital to the marine food webs. It is an exciting and busy place which is well worth calling in to see!

An integral part of this project is the development of this new website and the materials available through it. This will be an ongoing project with the site being continually updated and improved. In particular the resources for teachers will be further developed and will keep up to date with educational and curriculum changes.

The Marine Outreach Education Project

This is our most exciting project which is also tied into the Marine Education and Interpretation Project, delivering a marine education programme around the Argyll islands by means of the 60 foot ketch Silurian.

Many of the widespread communities of these islands are difficult to reach by conventional means so the boat sails to all the 12 inhabited islands and visits are made to all the island schools and many of the coastal schools too. Groups of students are welcomed on board and participate in a range of educational workshops which allow them to better understand the marine environment and the plants and animals sharing it with us.

Topics dealt with by the educational team are linked directly to the local curriculum and are designed to be fun and stimulating. Whilst visiting the islands, talks and events for the general public and other groups in the community are also arranged.

Volunteer education assistants join the team to deliver these activities to island schools, if you would like to be part of this project living on board Silurian for a week and traveling to island/coastal schools please click here.

The “floating classroom” has been extremely popular and the Silurian is well-known and welcomed wherever she goes. Students find the experience of coming on board a working research vessel very exciting and thoroughly enjoy the chance to have hands-on contact with local flora and fauna.

Over the next few years under the NÀDAIR 2 scheme we will be further developing these projects and including the provision of educational courses for a range of audiences. Meanwhile our education team will continue with its work by regularly visiting local schools and community groups, working closely with the local communities and providing useful educational materials.

Visits are also made to environmental fairs and events around the country in order to widen our reach and to raise interest and awareness of the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust and our work. If you are interested in a talk or workshop provided by our education team, or any other information about our range of educational activities, please email us.

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