The opening of the Nature Lab was performed by Commissioner Jumelet. André Brasse
The Veldhoeve of IVN Nature Education in Orvelte recently opened a Nature Lab. It was officially opened on Thursday by Deputy Henk Jumelet.
IVN Nature Education has been receiving thousands of students and guests in the Veldhoeve in Orvelte for years. They come from all over the country to discover and experience nature. In order to immerse even more students, teachers and other guests in Drenthe’s nature in the coming years, IVN developed the Nature Lab in and around De Veldhoeve, which Deputy Henk Jumelet officially opened on Thursday.
IVN wants to keep in line with these changes with its offer. Current themes such as climate change, biodiversity and water quality deserve an important place in this. With the Nature Lab, these themes are given a permanent place in the educational offer.
Experience, discover and explore
In the Nature Lab visitors can experience, discover and research nature themselves. When they enter, they are immediately face to face with the different inhabitants of the various biotopes around Orvelte: roe deer, badger, woodpecker, hare, fox, rabbit. Marleen Poppen is enthusiastic: ,,The ‘Tree Station’, where students can discover what a miracle a tree is, will also be given a prominent place. And with the Binnenbos we have brought the outside in. How special to be taught indoors surrounded by greenery, as if you were in a real forest? Or to follow a training course or to meet together? An inspiring and unique place.”
Inquiry-based learning is central to the Discovery section of the Nature Lab. In this place finds from the area can be viewed even better. For example, students can first look for plants outside or in a waders and catch water bugs in the stream with a landing net. They can then take a closer look at nature with real microscopes. New teaching materials provide educational support for this. In the new aquariums, pupils and students can investigate differences in water quality. PH and oxygen measurements can be performed digitally, without the use of disposable materials. “The surroundings of De Veldhoeve make the Nature Lab complete: with forest, a stream, a flower meadow, a vegetable garden and a greenhouse, it offers wonderful opportunities for collecting research material,” concludes Marleen Poppen of the IVN.