London-based Uphall Primary School partnered with the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) to deliver an immersive virtual field trip experience that connected Year 3 students ages 7-8 with conservation experts working in Indonesian rainforests.
Powered by the Meeting Owl 4+, the school created an inclusive and engaging hybrid learning environment where every student could participate fully in real-time dialogue with global experts, demonstrating how video conferencing technology can transform teaching curricula and expand students' worldview — without ever leaving the classroom.
As a UNICEF Rights Respecting School, Uphall Primary School is committed to helping students understand the Children's Rights Charter while developing global awareness and empathy. The school sought to:
- Provide students with direct access to conservation experts and real-world practitioners
- Create immersive learning experiences that complement curriculum topics
- Foster deeper understanding of environmental conservation and biodiversity
- Overcome geographical barriers to connect with organizations working in remote locations
- Ensure all students could participate equally in video-based learning experiences
Dr. Kulvarn Atwal, Head Teacher and Network Manager at Uphall Primary School, explains:
"Learning over a video conference complements the topics that the school is covering within its curriculum and enhances our focus on Rights Respecting Schools. It enables our children to develop a deeper understanding of the Children's Rights Charter."
Uphall Primary School used the Meeting Owl 4+ to facilitate a virtual field trip to the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, enabling students to connect directly with CEO Ben Callison and his conservation team.
Key features:
- The 360-degree camera captured the entire classroom, ensuring remote experts could see all students
- Auto focus technology captured active speakers automatically, creating natural conversation flow
- High-quality audio ensured every student's voice was heard clearly, regardless of their classroom position
- Plug-and-play setup simplicity allowed teachers to focus on learning rather than technical setup
The Curriculum Enrichment Partnership (CEP), led by Chair Mina Patel, facilitated the connection between Uphall Primary School and BOSF. The virtual session allowed students to:
- Learn directly from experts about orangutan conservation and rainforest ecosystems
- Ask questions and receive immediate feedback about Indonesia and wildlife protection
- Hear real-life stories from professionals working in the field
Tahmina Begum, Year Group Leader and Class 3BE teacher, notes:
"The Meeting Owl significantly improved the quality of the session. Its 360-degree view, auto tracking and clear audio meant that all students could be seen and heard without interruption. It made the whole experience feel more immersive and inclusive, helping maintain engagement throughout."
With the Meeting Owl, students remained engaged throughout the entire session without interruption, and every child could participate equally, regardless of where they sat in the classroom
“Our session with Ben and his colleagues provided a unique opportunity for the children to learn directly from experts about these creatures' lives, and the importance of conservation they otherwise would not have been able to see in the classroom,” explained Tahmina Begum, Year Group Leader and Class 3BE Teacher at Uphall Primary School. “Hearing real life stories and experiences brought the topic to life in a way textbooks simply cannot."
“Video conferencing not only allowed children to receive immediate feedback to the questions they had about Indonesia and the plight of orangutans, but also to meet the experts who work with these animals there,” said Mina Patel, Chair of Curriculum Enrichment at Uphall Primary School.
“These are people whose job it is to protect animal rights. This can be very inspiring, and opens up much curiosity for children to want to learn more about the wider world around them."
The Meeting Owl eliminated geographical barriers to world-class learning experiences for Uphall students, providing access to professionals working in the remote Indonesian rainforests — an opportunity that would be impossible on a traditional field trip.
"Reaching out to schools via video conference is vital for us because it allows us to bridge geographical distances and engage directly with young minds,” explained Ben Callison, CEO of Borneo Orangutan Survival UK.
“This method provides an interactive platform where students can learn firsthand about orangutan conservation and the critical importance of preserving rainforests, fostering a much deeper connection and understanding than static learning materials could achieve."
Uphall Primary School's experience demonstrates that effective educational technology should be almost invisible — allowing the focus to remain on learning, not logistics. The Meeting Owl facilitated an equitable experience where every student could participate fully and learn from experts around the world.
For educators, technology like the Meeting Owl makes virtual expert sessions a practical addition to any standard curriculum delivery. The Meeting Owl’s user-friendly design ensures that technical barriers don't prevent enriching educational experiences.
When technology works seamlessly, students can focus on what matters most: connecting with experts, asking questions, and developing the curiosity and empathy needed to tackle global challenges.