	Schools and clients
	Sample activities
	Practical notes
	Feedback from pupils and schools

MRI Schools

Activities for Schools

MRI offers an ideal setting for experiential learning with fairly unique resources available. Programmes have included activities for special needs, learning difficulties and socially excluded groups.

MRI has a very special capacity to allow young people to access experiential learning in ways that are not readily available today, though the types of activities we employ include learning skills that form part of the Scottish maritime heritage and were once common. We appreciate that young people leave MRI feeling more connected to and more in awe of the environment that they live in and we believe this adds value to the quality of their experience.

Sample Activities at MRI

Under 8s

an interactive puppet show where a dolphin is in trouble in the tartan sea. Each child has a prop which forms part of the story, which sees them learning about what to do and what not to do if they see someone/thing in trouble on the water.
Word searches and colouring in books connected to things in the harbour environment
A visit to the local creel fisherman to see in his live box of lobsters, crabs and other things they've kept back for us to see - jellyfish, octopus, different types of fish. Often this is when teacher also learn that lobsters are blue when they come out of the sea, not pink!
Treasure hunts, each clue relating to a new piece of information or skill they have learned.

Ages 9-13

Knot tying
Learning how to use a radio
Basic introduction to life support skills i.e. rescue breathing using a "resusci annie"
Puzzles such as writing their names using the phonetic alphabet
Mock rescue settings that involve new skills, teamwork, communication, delegation, risk assessment
Team exercises: shifting the heavy mooring lines which is only achievable if everybody co-ordinates their pulling.
Setting up ropes on a stretcher for a cliff-rescue exercise
Treasure hunts and simple orienteering games
How quickly can change into rescue equipment

Ages 14+

MRI has 15 wetsuits, boots, gloves and buoyancy aids, as well as 3 sit-on-top kayaks and paddles available for use by the ages group, which allows water access. These resources support a huge range of potential learning experiences: open water and river lifesaving, kayaking, working or playing safely in surf zones and rivers, exploring rock pools, as well as building water confidence.
Teamwork exercises such as mock cliff foot rescues, using a man-overboard net from the lifeboat, which involve a range of learned skills: knot tying, procedures for a task, radio work, communicating messages.
Environmental work: finding out about geology of the local area, plant and animal species, bird feeding habits, looking at the catch of local fishermen and finding out what equipment they use and how.

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For further advice or information about the MRI youth programmes, please contact
MRI's Education & Projects Office, enquiry.mri@btconnect.com or Tel. 01569 765668.

If you would like to know more about the work of the MRI
or to support the charity, please contact MRI

environment • tools • skills