Three thousand pupils from thirty eight schools across the UK received Super Scientist Certificates on behalf of Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales in recognition of their contribution to the Spring Bulbs - Climate Change Investigation.

An outstanding school from each country was selected and treated to a fun packed day out jointly funded by Amgueddfa Cymru and the Edina Trust.

Westwood CP School in Wales visited National Slate Museum in Llanberis. Earlston Primary School in Scotland visited the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh and Fulwood and Cadley School in England enjoyed a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester.

Here are some pictures from Westwood's trip on a very sunny day in Llanberis!

Os ydych chi unrhyw beth fel fi, byddwch wedi bod yn gwylio rhaglenni gwych Springwatch ar y BBC dros y diwrnodau diwethaf. Mae’r gwanwyn yn amser gwych o'r flwyddyn ym myd natur gyda chymaint yn digwydd o'n cwmpas, ac mae Amgueddfa Sain Ffagan yn lle gwych i ddod wyneb yn wyneb gydag amryw o fywyd gwyllt! 

Dros hanner tymor, beth am ddod i ymweld â ni a chodi un o'n llwybrau natur teulu, y gallwch ddod o hyd i yn y brif dderbynfa ac yn Oriel 1. Bydd y llwybr yn mynd â chi i’r llefydd gorau yn yr amgueddfa i weld ein bywyd gwyllt gwych. Gallwch wylio adar yn bwydo o gysur ein cuddfan adar, ymweld â'r Tanerdy lle gallwch wylio ein hystlumod pedol lleiaf yn clwydo ar ein camera is-goch a hyd yn oed cymryd golwg i mewn i'r pyllau d?r i weld madfallod d?r a chreaduriaid eraill sydd wedi ei gwneud yn eu cartref ynddynt. 

Trwy gydol yr amgueddfa mae adar yn nythu, boed yn rhai o'r hen adeiladau, mewn coed neu yn rhai o'r blychau nythu yr ydym wedi'u rhoi i fyny. Drychwch ar y gnocell fraith fwyaf (yn y llun) yn nythu mewn coeden. Gallwch hyd yn oed wylio teulu o ditw Tomos las yn nythu yn un o'n blychau nythu yn fyw ar ein gwefan.

Gwyliwch teulu'r Titw Tomos Las yn few ar ein gwylltgamera fyw

Gobeithio bydd y tywydd hyfryd rydym wedi cael yn ddiweddar yn dychwelyd oherwydd byddaf yn treulio amser yr wythnos nesaf yn dangos rhai o'n huchafbwyntiau bywyd gwyllt. O ddydd Mercher i ddydd Gwener yr wythnos nesaf (Mehefin 6-8) byddaf yn y guddfan adar rhwng 11-1 a binocwlars a thaflenni adnabod ac yna yn y Tanerdy rhwng 2-4 yn dangos ein hystlumod gyda'r camera. Os ydych yn cael y cyfle, dewch draw, codwch un o’n llwybrau natur a dewch i ddweud helo!

Video Clip, taken 30/05/2012

Within the groundwater in the rocks below our feet is a hidden world where living animals can be found. It’s a secret world that is difficult to study, and frequently forgotten as it is out of sight. In the UK these groundwater dwelling animals tend to be made up of crustaceans (which includes familiar animals such as crabs and lobsters), and range from tiny microscopic copepods to ‘larger’ shrimp like animals.

Recent survey work by Lee Knight, a freshwater ecologist, and Gareth Farr, a groundwater specialist with the Environment Agency, has found some new species to the Welsh fauna. This has included the first records for the very small amphipod Microniphargus leruthi which has now been found in a number of sites around South Wales.

Recently I joined Gareth on some fieldwork around the Bridgend area to collect some voucher specimens for the museum collections. On this particular trip we found two species not represented in the collections (and shown in the pictures). Both of these are termed ‘stygobiont’ animals, which means they are permanent inhabitants of underground environments. As a result they are characteristically white and eyeless as an adaptation to life underground.

So why does it matter that we learn about such animals and their environment? Understanding biodiversity is always important. Our whole way of life is underpinned by the environment through the food we eat, the water we drink, to the resources we use. In the case of these groundwater animals if the groundwater they live in gets polluted, then this affects not only these animals but us through contaminated water supplies. Thus even these small blind beasties have an important role to play in the sustainability of our environment.

Pupils from Roath Park Primary and Pontyclun Primary had great fun exploring plants and plant science at the National Museum Cardiff to celebrate The Fascination of Plants day. 

They had a go at dissecting a plant, explored plants under the microscope, and found out about the work of plant scientists at the National Museum Cardiff and Cardiff University. They also learned how to survey for plants in the local park.

Plus, Flathom Island education team joined us with some real live slow worms, and the Marine Conservation Society helped pupils explore issues affecting local wildlife.

This event for schools was run by education staff and plant scientists from Cardiff University, the National Museum Wales and Eco-explore, and was part of an international celebration of plants around the world. We hope to run a similar event next year, where more schools will be able to participate. 

Thanks to all involved!