A special engineering project to improve the environment for the local bird population has taken wing at Chilton Primary in Ramsgate.

The school is working with the Royal Society to run an exciting and important initiative that ties in with STEM learning (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).

It involves Year 4 pupils who will be taking part for the next two academic years and will run until they near the end of their primary education in Year 6.

As part of the project they will be using robotics to improve the environment for their feathered friends.

The group has already worked with engineers from Cummins Power Generators and with their contact Greg from Birdwise East Kent, a partnership of local authorities and conservation organisations working together to mitigate disturbance to birds that winter on the special protection area of the Thanet coast and Sandwich Bay.

Deputy Head of School Hannah Cheshire said: “Greg is educating the children about the local bird population, with a focus on Pegwell Bay. During their first session they learnt all about the Curlew. They enjoyed lots of fun activities to develop their knowledge about the species, from what they eat to where they migrate to and from.

“Whilst working with the engineers, the children began to develop their design skills using Lego robotics kits, building a robot and programming it to move in a variety of ways.

“They also discovered how birds stay safe from predators, how to spot those that reside in the nature reserve and how to use binoculars.”

Meetings at the nature reserve each term will involve monitoring and logging which birds visit the nature reserve.

Mrs Cheshire added: “This is a fascinating multi-faceted long term educational learning adventure with the aim of pupils’ developing STEM skills to decide how they can support the birds’ local habitat.

“As well as developing technical skills they will also gain a deep appreciation of bird life and how it is important to help sustain its precious presence in our communities.

“Under the Royal Society grant scheme, Chilton applied and the project we undertake is totally up to us as long as it fits with their parameters. We chose Pegwell Bay as it is local and decided to focus on birds as BirdWise were happy to join us in the project.”

**Bird Wise East Kent says: “Each year, thousands of wildfowl and waders arrive in Kent from as far afield as the Arctic. They spend the short winter days feeding and resting, conserving energy for the long return journey to their summer breeding grounds. When disturbed, the birds may stop feeding or fly away, wasting vital energy.

“This coastline is extremely popular with a large number of people for a variety of recreational activities, but this can be harmful to wintering birds. Funded via developer contributions from new housing built within 7.2km of the special protection area, the project aims to raise awareness of disturbance issues, allowing visitors to continue enjoying the coast whilst preventing disturbance to the birds.”

Chilton Primary is part of the Viking Academy Trust with partner schools Upton Juniors and Ramsgate Arts Primary.

*For more information contact Head of School Alex McAuley on 01843 597695