SURVIVAL - NATURE'S REALITY GAMESHOW
A new show for children and families, based on a well-known reality gameshow, was launched at the Glasgow Science Centre today to help the next generation learn about Scotland's wildlife, the environment and the threats they both face.
In "Survival - Nature's Reality Gameshow" some of Scotland's most distinctive wild animals are brought together under one roof and, because there isn't enough room for them all, the audience has to make a difficult decision about who has to leave.
The interactive show, launched to celebrate Scottish Biodiversity Week, was the idea of Kat Jones, the local Environmental Education Officer for Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), the government conservation body. She said:
" Midge, red squirrel, sea eagle, salmon, otter and capercaillie live together in "Big Bother Habitat". Chaos ensues when mink, who has escaped from a fur farm, joins them. When Big Bother decides to sell part of their habitat to make way for a rubbish tip, there isn't enough space for all the inhabitants and one of them has to leave. As well as voting on who has to go, the audience takes part in various challenges, like sorting out rubbish into materials that can be reused and recycled to help the animals save their home. It is really good fun but it has a serious message as well."
Local schoolchildren from Glasgow's Copeland Primary School and invited guests came along to enjoy the show and meet the actors who played red squirrel and otter.
Angus Laing, SNH's Area Manager added: " It is rather appropriate to launch a show about biodiversity in the week that world leaders are meeting in Johannesburg for the World Summit on Sustainable Development.
" We have funded the show because we hope it will get over a serious environmental message to a wide audience in an entertaining way. It teaches children about the wildlife that lives in Scotland and tackles big issues like sustainability, as well as making them aware of what they can do to help the environment.
"I am very pleased that we were able to work with the Glasgow Science Centre on this project and that the show will be accessible for all. We hope many people will come along and enjoy it."
Jillian Boag, Education Officer at the Glasgow Science Centre said:
" We're delighted to have worked with Scottish Natural Heritage to produce a show that will enhance learning across the board in relation to the interaction of living things with their environment. 'Survival' is a great addition to our wide range of educational activities."
"Survival: Nature's Reality Gameshow" will be open to visitors to the Science Mall at the Glasgow Science Centre (GSC) from September. The show is linked to the 5-14 curriculum for P4-S2 pupils and will be available for visiting school groups from January 2003. To find out about show times or to book a school group as part of the education programme phone GSC on 0141 420 5000 or visit www.gsc.co.uk. ENDS
Picture of the event
A picture of the event will be wired to you by Atom Photography on the afternoon of Tuesday 3 rd Sept - for immediate use. The contact for Atom Photography, should you need it, is Tom Hendrie Tel: 0141 945 6000 E mail:info@atomphoto.commore/
Further information is available from Nancy Fraser, Press and Public Relations Officer West Areas Tel: 0141 951 4488 E mail: nancy.fraser@snh.gov.uk or David Grimmer, GSC Media Manager Tel: 0141 420 5010 extension 237 E mail: david.grimmer@gsc.org.uk
Notes for Editors
Details of the show
The show is compered by a live presenter who interacts with the audience and the inhabitants of the 'Big Bother Habitat'. A film showing midge, red squirrel, sea eagle, salmon, otter, capercaillie and mink in the Big Bother Habitat is projected behind the presenter of the show. The film is interspersed with real footage of the animals in the wild and interviews with scientists discussing the issues brought up in the show such as the threat of mink to Scotland's native wildlife.
Scottish Biodiversity Week
Scottish Biodiversity Week is nine days of events and activities, organised by environmental and community groups, government agencies and individuals, which aims to raise awareness about Scotland's rich variety of animals, plants, fungi, microbes and the habitats in which they live. Over 100 events are planned across the country, ranging from guided walks, talks, interactive games and exhibitions to fungal forays, tree and wildflower planting.
This is the second year that Biodiversity Week has run nationally. It coincides with the World Summit on Sustainable Development, being held in Johannesburg, which includes a civic delegation from Scotland led by First Minister Jack McConnell.
Biodiversity was a term first coined at the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, and encompasses all the wildlife and habitats in our ecosystem. The UK Biodiversity Action Plan, which was published in 1994, is Britain's response to the convention and sets out an attainable goal for biodiversity conservation. There are now 226 Species Action Plans to help conserve a broad variety of endangered species and 41 Habitat Action Plans for the protection of vulnerable sites.
The World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg is held between 26 August and 4 September and marks a ten-year anniversary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, held in Rio de Janeiro. On the agenda is Population; Poverty & Inequality; Food & Agriculture; Freshwater; Forests; Energy; Climate Change; Health & Water; Health & Air Pollution.
Scottish Natural Heritage is the Government's statutory advisor in respect of the conservation, enhancement, enjoyment, understanding and sustainable use of the natural heritage. For further information on SNH, please visit our website: www.snh.org.uk
The Glasgow Science Centre is one of Scotland's premier landmark Millennium Projects, and consists of three buildings on the Clyde including IMAX Theatre and interactive Science Museum. GSC operates inreach and outreach educational programmes throughout Scotland and beyond. For more information visit www.gsc.org.uk