This VC activity was set up to give pupils the opportunity to explore the work done by the Born Free Foundation. One of the Foundation’s aims is to protect big cats in captivity and to preserve them in the wild. Trish Holford from the Foundation was invited to speak to the schools via videoconference about her work.

The pupils were given introductory activities prior to the session and were asked to make a presentation about an animal under threat that could be shared during the VC session.
Two NE Lincs schools were involved in this activity:

• William Barcroft Junior School
• Cambridge Park Special School

Introductory activities

• Look at the Born Free Foundation Website (www.bornfree.org.uk)
  • Find out about Born Free’s history
  • Why was it set up?
  • Who was involved?
  • Who was Pole Pole and what did she have to do with Born Free?
  • How does her story make you feel?
  • How many campaigns is Born Free involved in? Which one interests you and why?
• Click on the Big Cat Campaign
  • Who is Trish Holford and what does she do?
  • Find out some information about big cats (click on Big Cat Facts)
  • Can you find out how the number of lions has fallen over the last fifty years? (clue - use the big cat threat section to help you).
  • Why are the numbers of Big Cats falling? What do you feel about this?
• Watch wildlife documentaries
  • What animals was the program about?
  • Are the animals under threat? Why?
  • What would you like to do to help the animals?
  • How was the environment where the animals live different to where you live

Pupil/Class Task

Make a presentation about an animal that is under threat that they could show to the other schools after Trish’s presentation Suggestion pupils could make a class presentation using PowerPoint that could be shared with the other schools at the end of Trish’s presentation (KS 2) Pupils could draw pictures and write about an animal which they could talk about at the end of Trish’s presentation (KS 1)

Lion Videoconference activity

• Introduce Trish and brief description of job she does
  • Working to protect big cats in captivity and to conserve them in the wild.
  • Investigating complaints about captive big cats in zoos, circuses and private ownership
  • Dealing with people responsible for keeping the big cats in captivity all over the world.
  • Travelling all over the world to rescue the lions and to get them released into the sanctuary in Africa.
  • Producing information to go onto the website.
  • Answering letters and emails to give people information about the campaigns.
• Over to each school so that some children can ask questions about Trish’s job
• Trish’s PowerPoint about Lion protection by Born Free to be streamed to each school
• Pupils to present their work
• Finish session

Click here to view the Lion activity VC powerpoint.

Click here to view the powerpoint presentation created by William Barcroft Junior school.

The session was very well received by the pupils and was viewed as an excellent opportunity for speaking and listening by the teachers. It is hoped that we will be able to repeat the activity again for other local schools. If you would be interested in becoming involved please contact Yvonne Walker, Primary ICT Consultant on 01472 323275 or email yvonne.walker@nelincs.gov.uk