Beavers – Nature’s Engineers
Meet the beaver, nature’s waterway architect. Students build model dams, map habitats and discover how these animals create wetlands that prevent floods and boost biodiversity. Suitable for KS1–KS3, this workshop explores adaptations, ecosystem health and climate resilience, showing how one small creature can reshape a whole landscape.
Learning Objective
Students will explore the role of beavers as keystone species and ecosystem engineers. They’ll investigate how beaver activity shapes landscapes, boosts biodiversity and helps humans manage water and climate challenges.
Curriculum Links
KS1 (Ages 5–7)
- Science: Identify wild animals and their habitats; basic food chains.
- Geography: Understand physical features of landscapes (rivers, ponds, dams).
- PSHE: Respect for wildlife and living things.
KS2 (Ages 7–11)
- Science: Life cycles, adaptations and the impact of beavers on ecosystems.
- Geography: Rivers and landforms, human and natural processes.
- History/PSHE: Explore human-wildlife relationships over time.
KS3 (Ages 11–14)
- Science (Biology): Interdependence, biodiversity, energy flow in ecosystems.
- Geography: Ecosystem services, rewilding, water management.
- Citizenship: Environmental responsibility and sustainable land use.