Welcome to 'Science in the Language Class', an educational programme which provides free resources that link language learning to RZSS conservation projects across the world, or to the conservation breeding programmes within RZSS sites. All materials link to Curriculum for Excellence experiences and outcomes in science, topical science, social studies, language and literacy.
View all Science in the Language Class resourcesRZSS works with PICA - Pallas's Cat International Conservation Alliance and also with Saving Wildcats.
For the Scottish wildcat there is an off-show conservation breeding centre at our Highland Wildlife Park. The wildcats in this special centre are not on show because the cats are being bred to release to the wild. However you can still see some other wildcats at both Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park. Although we now don't hold the Pallas's cat at either zoo, we are still supporting the PICA project.
This set of resources compares the wildcat in Scotland with the Pallas's cat from central Asia, introducing some basic vocabulary in Gaelic and aimed at upper primary level.
Students studying the 2023-2024 eSgoil cohort of Advanced Higher Gàidhlig have provided the Gaelic sound files and a wonderful board game about the Scottish wildcat which is found in the Scottish wildcat section.
The cats are divided into different groups with different ancestors they have evolved from. This is called lineage.
Reference for facts and measurements listed in this section - Castello, José R. (2020). Felids and Hyenas of the World. Princeton University Press. [Foreword by Alexander Silva, Curator Cologne Zoo, Germany and Andrew Kitchener, Curator of Vertebrates, National Museums Scotland.]
Sound files
Sounds are incorporated in the various online games where appropriate.
The files below contain a complete set of sound files.
Students studying the 2023-2024 eSgoil cohort of Advanced Higher Gàidhlig have designed a wonderful board game about the Scottish wildcat. The students have also provided the sound files for the online activities.
The clue cards are for beginners and provide sound files through QR codes to help identify the body parts.
The clue card is for beginners and provides sound files through QR codes to help.
This habitat map shows the main habitats in Scotland and places them where they mainly are. For example, there are, of course, mountains in the south of Scotland but the mountain area has been placed in the highlands.
Sounds are incorporated in the various online games where appropriate.
The file below contains a complete set of the sound files.
This game is a fun introduction to some basic Gaelic and has activities for you to find out more about Scotland along with the Scottish wildcat.
This game was produced in partnership with the Scottish Government. 
The set of Gaelic games below have been produced in partnership with the Scottish Government. 
This board game is designed for learning about habitat, range, adaptations, diet, breeding and re-introduction of the beavers. The 'busy beaver' cards are a fun element which uses various language and literacy skills.
Sound files
Interactive games
At present there is only one interactive game but it is hoped that more will be developed.
A. Red squirrel year game - learn the months of the year in Gaelic by following a year in the life of the red squirrel.
B. Red squirrel habitat game - build the habitat for the red squirrel
Sound files
C. Red and Grey Squirrel matching activity
Cut out the individual cards and hand out to pupils. Ask the pupils to pair up the English and Gaelic topics. The topic heading is in Gaelic for the red squirrel (as native to Scotland) and in English for the grey squirrel (an invasive species from America). Comparison facts between the two species are on each card.
A. Water vole burrow game - This board game is designed to simulate the water vole finding a safe way back to the burrow highlighting one of the main threats which is falling prey to the American mink - an introduced species.
B. Water vole sentence matching - match the Gaelic sentences to the correct pictures.
Sound files
Sound files
A notebook with photos and spaces to write descriptions of the animals in Gaelic. Some useful Gaelic phrases are included.
