The Carnoustie lecturer who has just returned from a successful all-female expedition to Antarctica, is swapping real penguins for model ones.
Dr Beth Christie, a lecturer in education at Edinburgh University, had undertaken the three-week voyage as part of a year-long programme to develop leadership, strategic communication capabilities.
The lecturer, who was a pupil at Carlogie Primary School, returned to the school and brought back the flag designed by P6 pupil Erin Geekie, 10, which was selected to represent the expedition, completing a round-trip journey of around 30,000Km.
The social scientist said: “The class have been following the expedition and studying Antarctica so have lots of questions to ask me.”
She also brought the Royal Scottish Geographical Society flag and a 3D printed Maggie’s Penguin, which had also been taken on the voyage.
The visit coincided with the unveiling of a four foot Maggie’s Penguin which was delivered to the school.
The four foot penguin is one of 100 school and community sculptures that will create their own exhibition to support the 80 individually designed full sized models which will form part of a penguin trail beginning in June, before being sold at auction in September to raise funds for Maggie’s Centres.
Neil Cooney, education and community coordinator for Maggie’s Penguin Parade, said: “Maggie’s Centres provide free practical, social and emotional support for people with cancer and their families and friends.
“The Dundee centre is a place to find practical advice about benefits and eating well, a place where qualified experts provide emotional support, and a place to meet other people or simply sit with a cup of tea.
“It costs over half a million pounds per year to run the centre, and we hope to raise enough money from the auction to pay the running costs for a year.”
Dr Christie said: “I’m delighted to support the educational aspect of Maggie’s Penguin Parade.
“I’m working with them to develop educational resources that will support the campaign across schools in Dundee.”
“I helped by taking a small 3D printed penguin to Antarctica, and today I was able to bring that small one face to face with the four foot version that has just been handed over to Carlogie Primary school.
“Being part of Maggie’s Penguin Parade has created a perfect opportunity to bring my Antarctic experience into classrooms, make links between global and local sustainability issues and support a fantastic charity campaign at the same time.”
