Primary school film project | Scottish Invasive Species Initiative (SISI)

Making movies!

We teamed up with film-makers Media Education to deliver a fantastic film-making project for primary schools. Pupils learned about invasive non-native species and put that knowledge to use when making their film. After each class had decided on the film subject, they wrote story-boards and scripts, made props and finally picked up the cameras to shoot their movie – all under the guidance of the film making experts at Media Education.

We pay a huge thanks to all schools (and teachers!) who put so much time and effort into making these films – which now help us raise awareness about invasive species and their impacts. We hope the young people who took part had a great time learning about invasive species and the art of film making.

Introduction to biosecurity – Bualnaluib Primary School

17 pupils from the P5-7 class from Bualnaluib Primary School took part in the creation of this film.

The film features Bioboy and his friends – Cherry Check, Captain Clean and Daisy Dry. We hear all about biosecurity in Wester Ross and how to protect our natural environment.

The class also tells us all about invasive species including American signal crayfish, giant hogweed and killer shrimp. Pupils interview Conor, from Ewe Canoe, who explains how to clean kayaks and kit to stop the spread of invasive species.

Introduction to giant hogweed – Kellands Primary School

Pupils from the P7 classes in Kellands Primary School were involved in the creation of this film.

In the film the pupils tell the story of how the Victorians brought giant hogweed to Scotland, how it can spread and what we can do to prevent this. We hear all about the health risks to people and how sheep can be used to control it!

The film features Jane Lilley from the River Dee Trust and Karen from the River Deveron Trust / Scottish Invasive Species Initiative. Pupils also interview Colin, a beekeeper, who tells us about bees and giant hogweed.

Introduction to the River Don – Kellands Primary School

Pupils from the P7 classes in Kellands Primary School were involved in the creation of this film.

The pupils tell us all about the River Don, the native species found there and the impacts of invasive non-native species on the river. We hear about Himalayan balsam – how it spreads, impacts native flowers and leads to riverbank erosion – and about American mink and the disastrous effects they have on native water vole populations.

We also hear from Jamie Urquhart from the River Dee Trust who tells us more about these invasive non-native species and what we can do to help.

Japanese knotweed – by Milnes Primary School

Pupils from the P7 class in Milnes Primary School created this film.

In the film the pupils tell us all about Japanese knotweed – how it came to Scotland, the features of the plant, and what to do if you find it. We get to hear an exclusive interview with ‘Japanese knotweed’ and we see “Plantbusters” come to the aid of wildflowers who were overrun by a Japanese knotweed invasion.

The film features James Symonds from the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative, who tells us all why invasive non-native species are a problem, the importance of biosecurity and how to tackle Japanese knotweed with herbicides.

The story of American mink in Scotland – Scourie Primary School

All of the P2-P7 class from Scourie Primary School took part in the creation of this film (all 11 of them!).

Whilst learning about invasive non-native species the pupils were inspired by hearing the story about a single American mink found and trapped on the nearby wildlife reserve island of Handa. They decided to find out more about the mink and make their film about them.

In the film the class tell the story of how American mink established in Scotland, all about the animal, the finding of the mink on Handa Island and the devastating impacts mink have on water voles.