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The pupils of Endeavour were really excited about doing orienteering and Blackhall Rocks provided the ideal location for them to complete an orienteering course. The course ran from one side of the coastal fields to the other via the beach. All locations were places that have been visited by the pupils in previous weeks so the site could be visited more easily. The pupils were given a map of the site with the locations of the labelled markers and a set of ten questions for them to answer in relation to John Muir. Each marker had a letter on it which relates to a question on their sheet. The answers were a clue to answer the question and demonstrate what the pupils had remembered about John Muir from previous weeks. Most of the markers were found by the pupils as they moved about the site in small groups. They enjoyed the task and showed good navigation skills when using the map, a skill most of them had not previously done.

This week the pupils were given five owl boxes to repair and repaint. After seeing the Barn Owl at Blackhall in previous weeks, the pupils were keen to help the owls by repairing their tired looking man-made homes. Whilst some of the Endeavour pupils began by cleaning and preparing the boxes to be painted, others used the hand drills to start the repairing process. Most of the boxes needed significant repair work to make them more watertight and weather resistant. The pupils soon developed a conveyor belt system where the cleaned boxes were then moved on to be drilled and repaired before moving along to be painted and dried. By the end of the sessions all pupils had taken part in the process and the boxes were transformed, ready to be out up around the site at Blackhall. As well as the boxes, there were already constructed wooden frames that pupils could use to weave. They created completed their own ‘sea-scape’ scene.

Our Active Learning and Exploring experiences took us to the Forth and Clyde Canal with the help of the AMAZING Staff from Seagull Trust Cruises in Kirkintilloch. Our aim is to understand Habitats in a variety of contexts with as you have seen our adventures taking us from the beautiful Pollok Park and Formidable Highland Cattle to the most delicate wild flowers and incredible pollinators that help dress the hillsides and woodland! Today would see leave dry land and investigate one of the most historical aspects of our countries landscape - Scotland's Canals!!

As our Learning Experiences continue we realise that following in the footsteps of John Muir and by 'breaking clear away once in a while, climbing a mountain or spending a week in the woods'! Today we were breaking ice as we 'smashed our way through the frozen morning waters an on into nature and learning! Having some along the way was just another part of our learning journey!! We discussed habitats and looked on as the local wildlife passed us by. Senior Countryside Ranger Allison Greig and Countryside Rangers Linzi and Fiona helped us identify a variety of bird life, explained what is currently happening with the Avian bird flu and the impact that it may have on the birds that we see all around us. Learning is made easy when you are enjoying your experience and with a sprinkle of festive fun supplied by Seagull's absolutely first class staff we we set sail for another learning adventure......“Another glorious day, the air as delicious to the lungs as nectar to the tongue.”

As we make our way through our investigation in to Science in the Environment and Explore our local areas with the help of our Amazing Countryside Ranger Guides it would appear that there is a huge amount of incidental learning taking place! Motivation and Awareness, Social Skills and a Genuine Love of the Outdoors were all areas that were enhanced throughout todays Learning Adventure! For clarification of this just ask our two Honorary Elf helpers 'Elfy and Delfy' (standing with Santa in pics 3 & 4). Thanks to ALL the amazing support staff who make these Educational and Active Learning Experiences Possible. Along with GKC Staff and the Invaluable Glasgow Countryside Rangers we make a Strong Collaborative Team!!!! Merry Christmas Everyone!

Cheyenne had fun doing lots of activities, from making a wormery to her nature walk discovering her wild space. Well done Cheyenne!

Alfie and his family went a trip to Eglington park to discover and explore a wild space.

Sophie went a trip to Loch Lomond, she got lots of new information from a ranger and shared some of her John Muir learning too.