23 February 2011

Why did the toad cross the road?

Froglife’s award winning education team are making a giant toad installation to explain why thousands of toads cross our roads every spring. As part of National Science and Engineering Week, the team will be taking over the Guildhall in central Peterborough with a giant toad lollipop lady helping little toads across a road!

The installation, running from 16th to 19th of March will communicate the plight of toad migration. The idea, the models and the activities on offer have been entirely designed by young people. Members of the public are invited to come along, weigh up the numbers of toads killed every year on the Scales of Justice, and make their own toad to take home. The environment, as always, is at the heart of the work and all the display items are hand made, from recycled materials using a range of craft, including woodwork, traditional craft, needlework and papier mache.

“Froglife aims to show that communication can save lives,” explains Cacey Barks, Conservation Youth Worker. “Some really imaginative young people came up with this brilliant idea to communicate the tragedy of all the toads that are killed on roads every year.”

National Science and Engineering Week is a celebration of science, engineering and technology which involves thousands of schools, groups, adults and young people across the UK. Last year Froglife won the Best Science Award for its giant pond exhibit. The toad theme this year reflects their Tuppence a Toad campaign, to raise funds and awareness to support these little amphibians.

“We are keen to share our creative, fun approach to teaching people about wildlife, and what we can all do to help,” adds Cacey. “We hope to inspire future generations to join us in our mission to save wild species.”

You can come along to the interactive exhibit at Peterborough Guildhall from Wednesday 16th – Friday 18th March from 11am – 3pm each day, and on Saturday 19th March from 10.30am -2.30pm.

To find out more please contact Cacey Barks on 01733 425826 / 07581466073 or email on cacey.barks@froglife.org.

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