Biodiversity & COP15
Biodiversity & COP15
The current climate crisis coincides with a crisis in nature, driven by human activity. COP15 United Nations Biodiversity Conference took place in December 2022 in Montreal, Canada, bringing together countries from all over the world to agree on targets to make sure we halt the current loss in biodiversity.
Our COP15 Biodiversity Live Lesson is an invitation to keep learning how magnificent and vital every single component of our living planet is, and how important it is for us all to work hard to not lose them.
The Live Lesson includes a short, inspiring lesson for Early Years-P3 broadcast from the RZSS Edinburgh Zoo; a full morning for P4-P7 classes with two workshops delivered by author, naturalist and eco-journalist Sarah Roberts and by experts from RZSS Highland Wildlife Park, and a pre-recorded workshop for High Schools.
We are grateful for the support of our friends at Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), Scottish Friendly Children's Book Tour and Scottish Book Trust for helping to make these lessons possible.
Activity for all ages: Imagining you are a...
Each species that inhabits this planet perceives it in a completely different way: there are as many versions of our planet as species on Earth. As a way of reflecting on this, pupils across all ages are invited to interpret their playground or preferred open space from the perspective of different species.
Early Years to P3
We welcome our friends from RZSS Edinburgh Zoo who, with the help of some of their animals, teach us how all species from small to big are important for our planet to be healthy and for us to live.
Following the lesson, children can write acrostic poems based on some of the animals discussed or make an armadillo mask.
Biodiversity & COP15 Live Lesson: Early Years to P3
Upper Primary
Workshop 1: What do the Himalayas, the Arctic and the Cairngorms have in common? Jasper Hughes from Highland Wildlife Park RZSS takes us on a journey to answer this question and to learn about these fascinating habitats are linked to climate change and Biodiversity COP15.
Workshop 2: Acclaimed author and eco-journalist Sarah Roberts shares her experience working in many of the most extreme and attractive places on Earth, where she has been amazed by unique habitats and extraordinary species.
Biodiversity & COP15 Live Lesson: upper primary
Following the lesson, pupils can use the habitats resource from RZSS to learn more about Scottish animals and use the eco-journalist resource to write a report on an environmental topic.
High Schools
This is a pre-recorded session to accommodate your own timetable, with pause points for discussion, with a linked debate activity. The lesson covers the history of UN COPs, with a focus on the upcoming Biodiversity COP15 taking place in Montreal, Canada. We discuss the importance of biodiversity and consider what young people can do to help protect and restore biodiversity.
This session is relevant for a wide range of subjects, including English, Biology, Geography, Social Studies and Modern Studies.
Biodiversity & COP15 Live Lesson: high schools
Following the lesson, pupils can hold a debate about wolf reintroductions in Scotland and write a letter to their local MSP to ask them to support positive environmental policies.
All Ages Assembly
An Assembly to wrap up our Global Citizenship Live Lesson. Let's see what we remember, and have a look at some of the work sent in throughout the week.
Biodiversity Live Lesson Assembly
Did you enjoy these lessons?
Then visit our homepage to see what's coming next and register to join in.
Or watch the recordings of these related lessons:
Watch lessons from our last Biodiversity Live Lesson. Learn why every species counts, how books help us connect with nature and how Fairtrade is important for habitats. With special guests The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), Fairtrade Schools, and children's author and veterinarian Gill Lewis courtesy of the Scottish Book Trust.
We welcome British wildlife charity Froglife for a fantastic workshop all about pond building and creating wildlife habitats in schools and communities.
