Competition for youngsters across North West to win a roar-some T. Rex visit

Children across North West could win their school a one-off visit from dinosaur experts Teach Rex, as part of a special competition with Liverpool ONE.

Set up by primary school teachers, Sam Bryan and Joe Parsonage, Teach Rex works with schools across the country to help to bring the pre-historic era to life.

The duo take their 4m x 2m T. rex, ‘Jam’, along to meet youngsters to inject excitement into the classroom, encouraging them to put pen to paper to describe their experience.

Now, they have teamed up with Liverpool ONE to offer one lucky school a free visit before the summer holidays, as part of the retail destination’s Spring event, Dinosaurs Unleashed, which features an augmented reality app.

To enter, children should show off their creativity by either writing a story or poem about Liverpool’s ‘dinosaur invasion’; creating a picture of their favourite dinosaur; or filming a news report about the dinosaurs escaping at Liverpool ONE.

Sam, from Pensby in Wirral, said: “The idea for Teach Rex was hatched in the classroom when we wanted to bring different topics to life for children, immersing and encouraging them to use their incredible imaginations to produce progressive work.

“What better way to do this than by taking a T. Rex into their schools? We’re extremely passionate about creating a sense of awe and wonder for children and linking this enthusiasm to their learning – this is why we’re so excited to be launching this competition alongside Liverpool ONE.”

As part of the prize, Teach Rex, who will pick the final winner, will treat pupils at the winning school to a half-day session, which will include an interactive workshop and curriculum idea packs for teachers. Ahead of their visit, the schools will receive a special dinosaur egg to kick off their experience.

Running until 2 June, Dinosaurs Unleashed includes an augmented reality app that allows players to ‘hatch’ and hunt for dinosaurs across Liverpool ONE, while Chavasse Park has been transformed into ‘Chavassic Park, complete with real life rangers, a battle arena and collection of dinosaurs.

National Museums Liverpool is also working with Liverpool ONE and has welcomed children to its Dinosaur Gallery at the World Museum in William Brown Street since 1987.

Donna Howitt, Marketing Director at Liverpool ONE, said: “So far, Dinosaurs Unleashed has been extremely popular – it’s been great to see families getting out in the fresh air to hunt for their dinosaurs and children using their digital expertise to show the grown-ups how to use the app!

“We’re thrilled to be working hand-in-hand with Teach Rex to offer children the chance to be visited by a T. Rex. Teach Rex’s enthusiasm and passion for children’s learning is infectious and the chance for a child to win something for their school is an opportunity of a lifetime!”

To download the app, search for ‘Discover at Liverpool ONE’ on the App Store or Google Play.

To enter the competition, visit the website here.