Science education lecturer takes nation’s school children on a safari

School of Education lecturer Dr Andy Chandler-Grevatt will be teaching the nation’s children about the magical properties of moss on Monday 11 March, when his British Science Week 2024 Live Lesson airs on CBBC.

“I see moss differently to most people,” says Andy. “Ever since learning that each plump green cushion of moss is its own island, with its own ecosystem, and its own weird and wonderful microscopic inhabitants, I’ve been hooked. What started as a hobby has become a passion.”

In fact, Andy, who lectures in Science Education, was so enthusiastic about his hobby that in 2021 he founded Moss Safari to help other educators introduce students to the wonders that can be found in these miniature ecosystems.

The idea behind a Moss Safari is to show pupils the ‘Big Five’ microorganisms that you will find in moss samples: nematodes, mites, tardigrades, rotifers and gastrotrichs. The beauty of it is that it requires almost no equipment: just a small sample of moss and a microscope. In noting their findings, and using systematic approaches to data collection and test predictions, pupils also get an engaging introduction to the scientific method.

“As a teacher educator, it was a logical step to introduce moss safaris to school children,” Andy says. “Under the microscope, the moss ecosystem comes to life in an accessible way. And the idea of the ‘big five’ is something that children find exciting and engaging.”

The BBC obviously agreed, as Andy was invited to deliver one of the organisation’s Teach Live Lessons for British Science Week 2024. The programme will air on CBBC on Monday 11 March at 11am and will also be available on the BBC Teach website.

“The BBC asked me to go in search of tardigrades as part of an invertebrate-themed lesson, which led to me taking my microscopes, a sample of moss and my enthusiasm to be recorded to a bug park in Norwich,” Andy says, adding: ”It was a very new experience for me, and I think the tardigrades were better than me on screen. However, I hope it will help to raise awareness that a moss safari is something primary teachers can do with their children.”

And it doesn’t stop there: Andy believes that going on a moss safari could spark a lifelong interest in science in students – or even lead to new discoveries.

“A moss safari shows children that the science isn’t done yet,” he says. “There is space for citizen scientists, and actual scientists, to become specialists in specific organisms. Children encounter many organisms beyond the ‘big five’, some may be undiscovered species. It is important for teachers to say, ‘I don’t know’ and let children know that the science isn’t finished yet. There is a need for scientists in the future. We need experts on the microscopic.”

British Science Week is a 10-day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths that will take place from 8-17 March 2024. Andy’s Live Lesson will be available from 11am on Monday 11 March. Find more information on the BBC website