These lesson outlines and learning resources will take children aged 7-11 on a natural history adventure with Dippy. You don't need to visit Dippy to use them.
The resources are designed to complement Dippy on Tour: A Natural History Adventure, but can be done anywhere in the country and don't rely on an accompanying trip to Dippy.
There are eight episodes, which relate to the stops on Dippy's journey. Each considers a different theme with clear links to the national curriculum for 7- to 11-year-olds across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The resources can be used individually and in any order.
Each challenge begins with a postcard from an expert scientist, curator or researcher. At the end of each episode pupils can email their findings to Dippy's team, and will receive a reply.
- Introduction to the resources PDF (11.3MB)
- Download the entire set of resources PDF (24.1MB)
- Final postcard PDF (328.2KB)
- Certificate PDF (7.3MB)
Jurassic forest
Use imagination and creative skills to recreate lost worlds (Science, Maths).
Children discover the living things that existed in a Jurassic forest and create a Jurassic forest in their classroom.
- Visit the Jurassic forest activities page
- Or download the Jurassic forest resources and curriculum links as PDF (4.6MB)
The big bird watch
Develop field skills in animal identification, and compare extinct animals with living descendants (Science, English).
Children take part in a birdwatching excursion in their school grounds, understand the common features of a group of living things, and discover how theropod dinosaurs evolved into birds.
A game of snakes and antlers
Play a game to learn about various evolutionary and environmental changes (Science).
By playing Snakes and Antlers children understand the impact environmental factors have on evolution, and the impact environmental and human factors have on the survival of species today.
The beaver's back!
Show that you can understand both sides of a complex issue and persuasively communicate viewpoints to others.(Science, English).
Children discover that there are different perspectives on topics relating to the natural world, then create pamphlets from both perspectives exploring the issues of rewilding beavers.
Future maps
Practice your creative skills by imagining future worlds and solving future problems before they arise. (Science, Geography, History).
Children will consider changes in topographical features and land use, and create future maps of their local area.
The secrets of rocks
Discover the secrets of rocks and the stories they can tell (Science, Art and Design, English).
Children will create fossils and locate them chronologically within layers of ‘rock’ before swapping to excavate the secrets within a rock formation. They will learn how rocks and fossils are formed and be introduced to some prehistoric life forms.
Mae’r adnodd yma ar gael yn Gymraeg
The great school lichen hunt
Find life in unexpected places and discover how it adapts to survive in extreme conditions (Science).
Children will explore their school environment and discover how examples of life have adapted to live there.
Debating dilemma
Future Scientists need be able to debate and argue their positions. Consider and debate ethical dilemmas relating to scientific progress (Science, English).
Children consider and debate ethical dilemmas relating to scientific progress. They learn to put their cases clearly and provide evidence-based arguments to support their point of view.
Big Jurassic Classroom
For additional school resources, visit our Dippy on Tour partner the Jurassic Coast Trust's Big Jurassic Classroom, where you will find a wide range of Earth science activities.
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Dinosaurs and birds
For ages 4-7. An introduction to Dippy, dinosaurs, and their similarities with birds, their closest living relatives.
In partnership with
