Students taking A Levels in Environmental Science and Geography have been busy undertaking fieldwork in the past few weeks, both on campus and on location in Dorset.
The Environmental Scientists were able to apply methodologies learnt in the classroom to a range of activities on our two campuses. At Deanfield, the students were using specialist equipment including hygrometers, light meters, anemometers and other equipment to measure several abiotic factors in order to look at microclimates in forests.
At Rotherfield, the students dug soil pits and collected soil samples using an Auger sampler, followed by laboratorial analysis of the characteristics of soil using sieving and sedimentation techniques.
This practical work provided a great experience for the students, with an opportunity to learn new skills used in this field of work and to develop their team working.
The Geography students visited Christchurch Bay in Dorset, to develop their research method skills related to the Coastal Systems topic.
They visited Keyhaven Saltmarshes and Hurst Castle Spit to examine coastal landforms, applying hard/soft engineering learnt in the classroom. They used a wide range of equipment, such as clinometers, raging poles and measuring callipers, to sample the beach profile and analyse long shore drift.
The group also went to Barton-on-Sea as a contrast environment, were students drew sketches of the slumped cliff and identified evidence of coastal erosion. The students were delighted to have a seal supervising their work from the water!
Find out more about Geography A Level and Environmental Science A Level.
