A level Geography Fieldwork - Field Studies Council

Castle Head, Cumbria
13-14 th July 2013
Outdoor Science Teacher Masterclass
Biology and Ecological Fieldwork
This course offers teachers the opportunity to improve their skills in providing high quality ‘first
hand’ outdoor Science learning. Throughout the course, participants will gain practical experience
of planning and carrying out fieldwork activities designed to support the learning taking place
within school. Sessions will be included to share ideas and experiences with other participants,
while focusing on the potential to include fieldwork and outdoor learning within the Science and
Biology curriculum. The course is aimed at all secondary Science teachers – whether currently
teaching, training or due to return to the classroom. The course will be delivered by senior FSC
staff and is supported by a range of ‘take away’ resources and ideas, for use back in school.
http://www.field-studies-council.org/outdoorclassroom/geography/aqa/

Introduction to Science and Biology Fieldwork
for Secondary Teachers
WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR
The course is aimed at secondary science teachers, including NQTs and those training who are interested in running
their own fieldwork in the school grounds and further afield.
COURSE OVERVIEW
FSC delivers Science, Biology and Geography fieldwork courses to nearly 100,000 students a year and CPD to over
700 teachers. This course builds on this expertise and aims to introduce participants to a range of different fieldwork
activities which can be used to enhance students’ learning in KS3, KS4 and A-level Science studies. The focus will be
on KS3 and KS4 Science, with an introduction to A-level Biology and Ecology.
The course will cover risk assessments, planning fieldwork and organising a group safely in the Outdoor Classroom.
Participants will also receive a certificate of attendance.
This course will provide opportunities for teachers to:
Trial different fieldwork activities, in a variety of environments, which can be used to explore the Science
Secondary Curriculum in the Outdoor Classroom.
Consider different tasks to develop students’ scientific inquiry skills and help assess learning in the field.
Carry out a risk assessment for an outdoor science activity and consider key aspects of safe fieldwork practice.
Consider how small differences in the content of activities and follow-up can help with the progression from KS3
though to GCSE to A-level.
Try a series of small scale activities that can be undertaken anywhere that will assist students in answering A-
level Ecology examination questions.
Consider how fieldwork provides opportunities for introducing synoptic elements from across the whole
subject.
Improve biological identification and taxonomic field skills.
Take away materials that can be used at school, which will help students develop skills in scientific
understanding.
Consider which organisations can provide further support and training in outdoor learning.
COURSE LENGTH AND DATES
Saturday 13 th July
Arrive for welcome talk at
10.30. Morning, afternoon
and evening sessions
Sunday 14 th July
Morning session.
Depart from 13.00
If you wish to arrive on Friday 12 th July please contact the staff at Castle Head to reserve a room.
FSC Head office, Preston Montford, Montford Bridge, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 1HW
Tel: 01743 852100 Fax: 01743 852101 Email: headoffice@field-studies-council.org Website: www.field-studies-council.org
Field Studies Council is a limited Company, registered in England and Wales No. 412621 and a Charity No. 313364. Registered Office; Preston Montford, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 1HW

Introduction to Science and Biology Fieldwork
for Secondary Teachers
COURSE TIMETABLE
11.00-11.30 What is outdoor Science Adrian Pickles
What does it mean to look at the world scientifically How can the outdoors help students to think
scientifically
11.30-13.00 KS3 – Active Science – building a good basis. Steve Day and Rachael Passant
This session will consider some of the issues in engaging students with the concepts at KS3.
14.00-15.00 Specialist facilities – making the most of local off-site visits. Rachael Passant
This session uses the Life Science Centre as an example of how external specialist science facilities
can be integrated into the school curriculum.
Saturday
15.00-16.30 GCSE Ecology – What is it and how do I measure it Milly Piggot
Basic identification and taxonomy, sampling and project set-up for GCSE biology. This session will
focus on traditional habitats studies looking at distribution and abundance. A freshwater and
terrestrial habitat will be used.
17.00-18.30 GCSE Science – making connections. Tom Frost
This session will focus on supporting the big themes in science. Using a selection of outdoor
practicals, web-based resources and ICT, topics such as Climate Change and Energy will be covered.
Sunday
19.30-20.30 Extending opportunities. Sue Townsend and Steve Day
iSPOT / Young Darwin / Mind the Gap / Astronomy / Societies.
This evening session will focus on resources available to students and teachers through increasing
awareness of the organisations who can offer help in understanding aspects of outdoor science.
Participants will receive information on a range of societies and groups and encouraged to share any
they know locally or nationally. There will be web examples, resource packs, training and support
materials and small group discussions to explore the opportunities presented.
9.00-13.00 From start to finish: A-level investigations. Sue Townsend.
A morning looking at designing, carrying out and analysing an A-level investigation. This session will
cover species identification, using keys, investigation design, specification requirements, sampling
and statistics. It will also include a question and answer plenary session.
ABOUT THE TUTORS
The course will be run by experienced Scientists and Ecologists selected from FSC senior staff, who are knowledgeable
Environmental Educators and Field Teachers.
Steve Day is one of the senior teaching team at Castle Head and has worked for FSC for over 15 years at various centres.
Being qualified in a range of outdoor activities enables him to safely lead students on a journey of discovery in the real
world.
Tom Frost has had a sustained career in environmental education which started whilst volunteering with the local
museum then working for Paignton Zoo creating educational materials. Having completed a degree in Environmental
Science and working as an Environmental Consultant, he was been employed by FSC where he has been delivering
outdoor learning for the last five years.
FSC Head office, Preston Montford, Montford Bridge, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 1HW
Tel: 01743 852100 Fax: 01743 852101 Email: headoffice@field-studies-council.org Website: www.field-studies-council.org
Field Studies Council is a limited Company, registered in England and Wales No. 412621 and a Charity No. 313364. Registered Office; Preston Montford, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 1HW

Introduction to Science and Biology Fieldwork
for Secondary Teachers
Rachael Passant studied Zoology at Bangor University, before embarking on a two year adventure overseas to
experience as many of the habitats and natural wonders that she had learnt about as she could. She returned to study a
PGCE in secondary science and has taught in North Wales, Switzerland and Cumbria.
Adrian Pickles has been an FSC Head of Centre since the year 2000; first at Malham Tarn and then at Preston Montford.
Before that he worked in schools for 18 years, teaching science.
Milly Piggott graduated from University with a BSc (Hons) in Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology. Her love for the
outdoors, no matter what the weather and her desire to share the wonders of nature with others, has led her into a
career as an environmental educator. For the last five years has worked as a Senior Tutor and Team Leader at Orielton
Field Centre.
Sue Townsend is FSC’s Biodiversity Learning Manager. The role combines internal training with networking to
government and environmental policy committees. She spent 17 years as Head of Centre at Preston Montford having
previously taken roles as Science Adviser, Environmental Tutor and Botanical Surveyor for FSC, Local Councils and
environmental charities.
COURSE FEES
Shared accommodation: £50
Non-resident: £30
Included within the fee:
Up to 10 hours of tuition a day.
Expert tuition by fully trained staff.
Full board accommodation including a cooked breakfast, picnic lunch, homemade cakes and an evening meal.
Vegetarian and other dietary options are available.
Use of resources including library, workrooms, studios and the Centre grounds.
Transport to all field sites, where required, during the course.
Rigorous and proven health and safety procedures including 24 hour emergency cover.
Access to risk assessments.
Specialist equipment and exclusive access to specially developed resources.
E-mail support before and after the course (on request).
WHAT TO BRING
(Old) Warm clothes - we may get muddy and wet.
Waterproof top, waterproof trousers, a comfortable day sack, gloves, cosy hat (Can be hired from the Centre).
FSC Head office, Preston Montford, Montford Bridge, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 1HW
Tel: 01743 852100 Fax: 01743 852101 Email: headoffice@field-studies-council.org Website: www.field-studies-council.org
Field Studies Council is a limited Company, registered in England and Wales No. 412621 and a Charity No. 313364. Registered Office; Preston Montford, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 1HW