Heron Bros Transform Learning Space
Archaeology Scotland were keen to get assistance with converting shipping container which had been gifted to them into an outdoor learning facility.
Their vision was that this space could be used as a dedicated space to deliver training and the teaching of heritage skills to those with no positive direction, particularly this area of high multiple deprivation. Archaeological Learning develops key meta skills that creates curious, adaptive, creative, collaborative and innovative learners.
Through archaeology, learners can uncover stories from the past; stories of resilience, adaptation and innovation, that resonate with the present and illuminate the future.
The team at Heron Bros who are working on tne impressive build at Edinburgh Innovation Hub heard about the materials and resources required for the project and were keen to get involved.
Kevin Farrell, Heron Bros Project Manager for the build felt;"Myself and the Heron Bros team were delighted to have the opportunity to engage with Archaeology Scotland in renovating their new learning space. When the opportunity arose to help them with the refurbishment of the container we knew straight away we could help make this project a reality with the wide range of skills available to us on site and throughout the business.
It was a great opportunity to help an organisation who have a keen focus on the local community and helping them to engage in activities that they may not have the opportunity to explore."
Archaeology Scotland are keen to create and deliver engaging Archaeology STEM activities for children, challenging skills development programmes for young people and quality Archaeology STEM resources and CLPL opportunities for educators in Dalkeith. Creating a model for delivery and a package of resources that can be rolled out to other communities across Scotland.
The refurbishment of the container has given our Learning Team the opportunity to create an Archaeological Learning Hub - a place to create and store exciting new archaeology resources for learners which support the delivery of activities such as our Attainment through Archaeology courses.
The team at Heron converted the container by removing internal walls, adding in windows, roof, guttering, extending the life of the unit for many years to come. Their highly skilled joinery expert clad the the unit in live edge timber which was sourced from the Tyninghame Sawmill in East Lothian.
Since the work has been completed, the team at Archaeology Scotland have added extra storage, cheerful flooring all to make the centre a lively environment for students to learn in.
Students from Musselburgh Grammar School's Support for Learning, Outdoor Learning Group have been able to make use of the centre to complete as part of their Attainment Through Archaeology group to get their Heritage Hero Award Certificates.
Adam Davie, Support for Learning teacher at Musselburgh Grammar School commented that participating in Archaeology Scotland's Attainment through Archaeology course at Newbattle Abbey “provided the opportunity to tie in many different aspects of learning, from geography, science and art to developing teamwork skills”’ Going on to say, “Our pupils took part take part in all sorts of fantastic, hands-on activities and we also had a strong focus on exploring local place and heritage with lots of wonderful supporting resources that were differentiated for our group. The Heritage Hero Award was a great sense of achievement for all of those that took part and their parents / carers were also proud.”
The build was a fairly comprehensive request utilising the skills, labour and expertise at Heron Bros, all to ensure that the amazing team at Archaeology Scotland could finallly utilise the unit and let it live up to the potential it had to be become a gem of an outdoor learning centre for all in the region to have the opportunity to enjoy.
“The help we got from ESES and Heron Bros was amazing! The small team were dedicated and did a wonderful job of upgrading our unit. We can’t thank them enough. It was also gratifying to have timber supplied by a small East Lothian business (Tyninghame Sawmill).”