Schools across Northampton are invited to transport their classroom back to the Jurassic era as part of a dinosaur campaign set to sweep the town centre next month.
Lesson plans and resources designed to help capture the imagination of Key Stage 1 learners and build excitement for a dinosaur-themed family fun day taking place in the town centre on Saturday, July 24, have been made available to schools across the town.
With a whole host of dinosaur themed activities planned, primary school children will be able to consolidate their learning through the experiences on offer.
A collection of dinosaurs will appear throughout Market Square, Abington Street, and other parts of the town centre as Northampton is transported back in time.
Characters including Ritchie the Raptor, Zeus the T Rex and Tank the Triceratops will entertain the crowds between 11am and 4pm on July 24 with retailers and food outlets then continuing the fun for a further three weeks up to August 14 with ‘Dino diner meal deals’ in cafes and restaurants and other food outlets, special offers and ticketed activities.
Attractions include a free 30-minute 360°immersive video experience that will transport visitors back in time through the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous geological periods in the pre-bookable Dino Dome.
“We have planned a whole host of unmissable activities to help spread some much-needed cheer this summer.” Mark Mullen, Northampton BID operations manager
Using the Explore Northampton app, budding palaeontologists can go on the hunt to find and augment 10 friendly dinosaurs which will come to life through smart phones in different locations around the town centre as part of the Dino Trail.
The event is being staged by Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID), a group run by business owners to make Northampton a better place to live, shop and work.
Mark Mullen, Northampton BID operations manager, said: “We have planned a whole host of unmissable activities to help spread some much-needed cheer this summer. To encourage everyone to join our prehistoric party we have written to schools all over the town providing them with a downloadable link to a Key Stage 1 lesson plan as well as other resources such as information leaflets and stickers.”
The pack includes facts about different dinosaurs, featuring what they eat and how they move.
Mark added: “The children can then consolidate their learning with some interactive activities by popping along to Northampton town centre with their families on Saturday, July 24 to join our prehistoric party, with supersized guests appearing throughout the day as well as special offers available in shops, cafes, bars and restaurants until August 14.”
Schools interested in receiving the teaching resources can email: promotions@northamptonbid.co.uk.
The event is the first to be staged by the BID as part of a refreshed calendar activities to coincide with the relaxing of COVID-19 restrictions.
In March 2021, businesses voted in favour of renewing the BID for five more years, securing a significant £1.5 million to be spent on promoting the area.
Businesses pay an annual levy into a collective pot which is used to deliver the BID events, initiatives and projects in line with the BID Business Plan.
The Board is governed by local business people who all give up their time as Board directors on a voluntary basis to help steer the project delivery in line with the BID Business Plan.
