Page 14 - Autumn 2019 Echo draft v4

12 Geography

Year 10 Devonport Fieldwork

Year 10 geography students visited Devonport, to investigate the impact of regeneration on the environment.

Whilst there, the students used data collection methodologies such as environmental quality surveys, and

building age surveys, to investigate the regeneration. It was a valuable opportunity for students to extend their

classroom based learning and develop their enquiry skills.

As part of the visit, students also visited the MVV energy from Waste plant. They saw first-hand the waste

produced by local councils and witnessed the burning process. This brought to life some of their recent learning

on the Urban Issues and Challenges unit. The students found the day interesting and felt that it would have a

lasting impact on their environmental habits.

Year 11 Dawlish Fieldwork Donkey hoaty in Wales

Year 11 students visited Dawlish to investigate the impact of In october, Mrs Sansom and Donkey hoaty
management on coastal processes. Whilst there, they used climbed the stunning Sugar loaf mountain in
various techniques including bipolar surveys and groyne height South Wales. This landmark dominates the
measurements to determine the effectiveness of coastal skyline of the surrounding countryside and
management. The students were able to apply their theoretical provides a spectacular backdrop to the
knowledge of coastal process to the fieldwork study enabling market town of Abergavenny. It is the
them to embed their classroom knowledge in a real setting. southernmost of the summit peaks of the
They worked together to gather the data developing their team Black Mountains, with a height of 1,955 feet.
skills and resilience, particularly when the South Devon weather
took a turn for the worse! Question –

Insightful lecture for WeST Students Which two
counties in
The geography Department hosted a talk, in September, by Wales does
Dr Chris Spencer, Senior lecturer in geology and Physical Sugar loaf
geography, Department of geography and environmental mountain
Management, from the University of the West of england, Bristol. span?
he delivered a mini lecture and follow up session on coastal
systems and landscapes, “Using a systems approach to
understand coastal landforms and inform coastal management”.
In his session, Dr Spencer looked at local examples to support our
students' understanding, such as Dawlish Warren and Slapton
Sands. he followed the lecture with an insight into studying
geography at university and all of the opportunities that go
alongside this, notably the option to travel and see geography in
action.

The College echo - Autumn 2019 - www.ivybridge.devon.sch.uk