This web site contains pictures and audio files from three farms in the North East of Scotland, together with a wealth of additional resources for teachers and pupils. It is part of the ‘Getting in Shape’ project which links farming and food production with healthy eating and physical activity. All resources are copyright free.
This resource has been developed in line with Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence, but the ideas and activities can easily be adapted for use in England and Wales, and further afield! There is much to be gained in comparing different farms situated in different locations across the UK, and indeed, the world.
The ‘Getting in Shape’ project is a collaboration between the internationally renowned Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health (part of the University of Aberdeen), Aberdeen Environmental Education Centre (part of Aberdeen City Education Department) and The Royal Northern Countryside Initiative (affiliated to the Royal Highland Education Trust).
Project leaders:
Dr Sue Bird, Knowledge Exchange Manager, The Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen. Sue.bird@abdn.ac.uk
Allan Paterson, Teaching Director, Aberdeen Environmental Education Centre Allan.paterson@aeec.org.uk
More about the project
Getting in Shape is an integrated, structured, cross-curricular programme of learning and teaching about how to develop a balanced lifestyle. There is a focus on food production, nutrition and health. The project has been developing and growing since its inception in 2005 and now fully meets the requirements of the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence.
An early ambition of the project was to ensure that the nutrition education was linked to farming and food production via farm visits organised by The Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) in Scotland (and its local branches). The realisation that this was only ever going to be possible for a small number of schools led to the development of this farm web site. The interviews and pictures from the farms also includes some material from actual school visits.
This web site can never replace the experience of visiting an actual farm and we encourage all schools to try and organise a visit if at all possible. In Scotland, you should contact RHET www.rhet.org.uk who will put you in touch with one of their regional branches.