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An environmental education project funded by Heritage Lottery Fund and run by Access and Community Engagement and the School of Geography at the University of Leeds “We aim to use the bones to engage pupils and families with the University and the museum”. Dr Jon Barber, Access and Community Engagement The Leeds Hippos is a unique educational project that aims to challenge primary school children to explore the science and history of ancient hippo bones found in Leeds. The skeletons of four hippos were found in Armley in 1852 by workmen excavating clay for bricks. They were found along with the remains of an elephant and an auroch (an extinct type of cow). The animals are believed to have perished in some sort of natural disaster, possibly a flood during the last interglacial period, 120,000 years ago. The hippo bones will be exhibited in the new Leeds Museum scheduled to open August 2008. They will form the centrepiece of an exhibition with a focus on history and biodiversity throughout the Quaternary period, in which all human history and pre-history exists. The project will work in partnership with four Leeds primary schools, Leeds Museum and Gallery Service and the Leeds Royal Armouries. One of the primary functions of the Hippo project is to involve children and families who perhaps would not traditionally engage with their local heritage, visit museums or aspire to attend University. The project, which will work with Key Stage 2 pupils, relates to the National Curriculum for Science, Geography and History and ties in with the DFES Sustainable Schools initiative. Through a series of engaging, fun and innovative workshops, the children will learn about the heritage items, past environmental change and gain awareness of current issues concerning climate change, sustainability and carbon emissions . The children’s learning will be supported by accredited Geography students who will assist with the delivery of the workshops and produce teaching resources. The work they produce during these workshops will be displayed at the new Leeds Museum and the University. “..I would like to go to the new Museum because I loved learning about hippos and I want to learn about other animal bones.” Yr 5 pupil, Hollybush Primary School For more information please contact Lucy Ashworth	Homepage Project Aims & Objectives Project Partners Workshops Students Exhibition Dates
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	Access & Community Engagement Heritage Lottery Royal Armouries Leeds Museum & Galleries Sustainable Schools Initiative

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