What? No frogs?

We apologise that we will not be delivering the Dippin' programme before June of this year. None of the sites we presently operate on have facilities that are safe enough for groups to access. We are in the process of remedying this and hopefully we'll have this programme back online for the summer or spring term next year.

Dippin'

In C.S. Lewis' book the Magicians Nephew, the protagonist Digory Kirke stands gazing into little pools of water and is suddenly aware that each pond is a doorway . Diving in, he is immediately transported to another world. There is some truth in this story because the stretched, tense surface of water molecules is the border between our oxygen filled world and their watery underworld. Who are they? What is their world like? How do they live? Discover aims to answer these questions.

The Dippin' programme aims to:
> Encourage children and young people dive into another world.
> To discover that there is a world of goodies and baddies and a battle for survival happening silently, and so often without us even observing it.

It sets out to:
> Help participants understand that a pond is a web of interlinking flora and fauna. Allies and Enemies
> All creatures and plants in the pond depend on water for their survival and could not exist without it.
> Expose participants to a variety of flora and fauna, help them identify them again in the future, and widen their knowledge and understanding about them.
> Have fun with a variety of activities that will encourage observation, identification and classification, measuring and recording.
> Encourage a responsible attitude towards wildlife and the environment.

The programme includes:
> Tutor input
> Reflection time
> Games and fun activities
> Multi-media presentations
> Pond-dipping and exploration
> Worksheets and booklets
> Arts and Crafts

Written by Alyn Jones (Alliance Youth Works)