News

New Vision North project wins lottery grant

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 14/05/2012 09:25:28

The Big Lottery Fund Reaching Communities programme committee have today awarded the Field Studies Council (FSC) a vital grant to help fund their new Vision North project, working with visually impaired young people from the North West.

Education Secretary launches cutting-edge technology in Cumbria

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 03/05/2012 11:04:01

The Education Secretary Michael Gove was in Threlkeld, Cumbria on 2nd May to launch the first ever 4G mobile technology trial. This exciting new technology has potential benefits for healthcare, businesses, education, farming and policing and is of particular interest to FSC Blencathra, based in Threlkeld.

50 things to do before you’re 11¾

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 18/04/2012 12:27:47

The National Trust has launched a campaign to encourage children to get outdoors more, 50 things to do before you’re 11¾. It follows their report earlier this year which identifies that many of our children show signs of ‘nature deficit disorder’ and don’t interact enough with nature between the ages of seven and twelve.

New fieldwork opportunity for home educated students

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 04/05/2012 15:44:16

FSC Malham Tarn in Yorkshire, is running a new 3-day GCSE Geography field course aimed at home educated students in August 2012. The course will bring together a group of home educated students enabling them to benefit from the learning field trip as well as meeting other young people.

Spring into art and craft courses

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 18/04/2012 12:46:43

There are over 150 art and craft courses run by FSC Centres across the UK.

Save Our Outdoor Education Centres

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 16/02/2012 16:09:49

A petition has been launched calling for the government to protect outdoor education centres from imminent closure. One in three local authority centres are threatened and this could deny millions of children from potentially life-changing experiences. In many cases these closures could be avoided.

Let's get adult learning

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 14/05/2012 12:06:57

Leading scientists make a plea for fieldwork

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 09/02/2012 12:52:09

The ASE’s Outdoor Science Working group – of which the FSC is a founder member - hosted a policy forum at the ASE’s Annual Conference at the University of Liverpool on 5th January 2012, led by a panel which included some of the UK’s most prominent scientists and science educators including Professors Steve Jones (University College London), Rob Marrs (University of Liverpool) and Justin Dillon (King’s College London). Andrew Miller MP, a local constituency MP and chair of the Science and Technology Committee, also participated.

5 reasons to try an FSC family break

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 29/03/2012 09:28:50

Explore nature and try exciting new activities on a family holiday course with the Field Studies Council (FSC). The FSC is an environmental education charity which offers short breaks for families to enjoy together. Here are some of the top reasons why people choose them:

Top-notch nature photography courses

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 18/04/2012 12:11:41

FSC offers a selection of nature photography courses giving you a chance to learn how to capture wildlife at its best. With tips on using the camera as well as finding suitable subjects courses are enjoyable, informative and a great way to learn about the natural world.

The future of Biological Recording and Species Identification

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 05/03/2012 12:21:36

The University of Birmingham and FSC met again in early January and are continuing to work closely together to ensure the future of the Biological Recording and Species Identification programmes.

The FSC says government response to science field trips report 'lacks teeth'

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 09/02/2012 12:52:12

Whilst welcoming the publication of the Government and Ofqual responses to the Science and Technology Committee's report into Practical Experiments in school science lessons and science field trips, the Field Studies Council (FSC) shares the disappointment of the committee's chair.

Glacier project going strong

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 09/02/2012 12:52:13

Last weekend at the Royal Geographical Society Explore 2011 Weekend Tim Foster, Head of FSC Blencathra, met with Michael Palin, President of the Royal Geographical Society and Karen Weichert from the Norwegian Glacier Museum to discuss the success of the Tunsbergdalsbreen Project.

Get online today for free teaching resources

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 13/02/2012 14:55:52

Mind the Gap has launched its new-look website, offering a great selection of free teaching resources for primary and secondary school teachers. Mind the Gap is an innovative project which explores sustainability issues and encourages students to think about their own lives and communities.

Field Studies Council response to the Department of Education teacher training plan

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 09/02/2012 12:52:14

In response to the Department for Education's announcement on Initial Teacher Training Strategy Implementation Plan, Dr Steve Tilling, FSC’s Director of Communications, said: “FSC welcomes the attention that the DfE are giving to teacher training and the opportunity for organisations such as ours to work with the new Teaching Schools. However, we remain very concerned that fieldwork and outdoor learning will be neglected in future training. In particular, we believe that the apparent decision to jettison all central government guidance – including the outdoor teaching case studies that exemplify good practice – will lead to a further weakening of fieldwork training.

Lichen courses for all

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 09/02/2012 12:52:15
The Field Studies Council (FSC) is offering a chance to learn about lichens with a series of special one-day courses starting next month. Run in association with the British Lichen Society Introducing Lichens 1 will include field excursions around the Centres and their surroundings, talks and identification skills.

New AIDGAP guide to British Plant Galls

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 09/02/2012 12:52:17
The second edition of the popular AIDGAP guide British Plant Galls has been launched by the Field Studies Council (FSC). Containing around 300 keys to galls the guide is a great tool for identifying the many colourful and unusual specimens found on plants in Britain.

OPAL takes home runner-up trophy at prestigious Lottery Awards

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 09/02/2012 12:52:18
The Open Air Laboratories project (OPAL) was recognised as one of the UK's best environment projects at the National Lottery Awards 2011 in London on Saturday 5 November.

Last chance to book Earthworm ID day

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 09/02/2012 12:52:19
There is just over a week to go to book your space on Earthworm Identification, a one-day course being led by Dr David Jones from the Natural History Museum. Designed to introduce earthworms to anybody with an interest, including those whose appetite has been whetted by the OPAL Soil and Earthworm survey.

2012 course programmes launched

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 09/02/2012 12:52:20
The new 2012 programmes of FSC individual and family courses have now been launched, offering a wide selection of courses which all use the natural world as inspiration.

Field Studies Council to run The Start Bay Centre

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 09/02/2012 12:52:21
Leading environmental education charity the Field Studies Council (FSC) is pleased to announce that from early November it will be running The Start Bay Centre, near Slapton. Start Bay, which used to be managed by Devon County Council, will continue to offer all of the same facilities and services to customers under the FSC.

New training module for Sustainable Development

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 09/02/2012 12:52:22
The FSC and partners from Spain, Finland and Sweden have developed a training module for teachers in adult education to help them explore sustainable development.

Creative craft courses this autumn

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 09/02/2012 12:52:24
Whether you just want to try something a bit different when the nights draw in or you plan to make your own gifts for the festive season, autumn is a great time to try a craft course and learn new skill. The Field Studies Council (FSC) has a selection of short residential craft courses on offer at their field centres across the UK.

Science Field Trips in Parliament

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 09/02/2012 12:52:25
FSC evidence features prominently in the parliamentary report into science practicals and field trips which was published on 14th September.

Olympic fieldwork in East London

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 09/02/2012 12:52:26
The 2012 Olympics is a unique opportunity to investigate geography in action – the transformation of a derelict river valley, urban regeneration on a grand scale, the potential for a sustainable Olympics. It’s all here in east London, to be seen and explored. It’s the sort of geography that excites students and can be turned into a great learning experience.

Tips for cost-effective travelling

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 09/02/2012 12:52:27
For teachers planning an off-site school visit cost is increasingly playing a major part in deciding where to go and, in the case of residential trips, how long to stay.

Beautiful butterflies and magnificent moths

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 09/02/2012 12:52:29
Learn more about butterflies and moths with an identification course run by the Field Studies Council (FSC). Courses on butterflies and moths include Identifying Butterflies, Moths and Dragonflies, Highland Butterflies and Moths and Butterflies and Moths. Find out tips for identification and discover habitats which attract the different species.

Annual Darwin Scholarship Programme: Monitoring and Communicating Biodiversity

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 09/02/2012 12:52:30
A short scholarship programme led by the Field Studies Council (FSC) in the UK. 21st August – 31st August 2012 at Preston Montford Field Centre, Shrewsbury & Juniper Hall Field Centre, Dorking, Nr London

Are you crazy about Climate Change?

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 13/02/2012 14:56:56
Climate Week is Britain's biggest climate change campaign, backed by every part of society. It takes place from the 12th to 18th March this year and organisers are calling for people and organisations to get involved.

Creation of a Forest Education Network for England

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 09/02/2012 12:52:32
The creation of a Forest Education Network for England is a positive outcome from changes to funding for the Forest Education Initiative (FEI) in England.

Brilliant bird watching courses

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 18/04/2012 12:30:31
See what you can discover about birds with an array of bird watching courses on offer from Field Studies Council (FSC). There are a wide variety of courses available including Bird Identification, Bird Survey Techniques and Bird Watching for Beginners. With spring on the way it’s a fantastic time to start learning about the birds in your garden and local area.

Leap into learning about the natural world

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 20/02/2012 11:54:18

Spring Photography Competition

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 02/05/2012 12:32:14
Take a picture which captures the season for a chance to win! Enter our competition by sending a photograph of anything you discover in the natural world – whether it is a landscape, leaf or ladybird that inspires you. We are looking for pictures that represent the spring and show the beauty of the outdoor environment.

An island paradise (Enewsletter March12)

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 04/04/2012 16:06:03

Real World Learning Europe

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 29/03/2012 10:32:17
The FSC is working with partners across Europe to explore and share effective approaches to outdoor learning. Over the next three years we will investigate outdoor learning and produce resources to support educators. To help the network address the needs of outdoor educators in the UK we are conducting a short online survey. We hope you will share your views with us.

Flower power (Enewsletter April 12)

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 05/04/2012 15:32:24

Inspired by London 2012 (Enewsletter April 12)

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 04/04/2012 16:04:24

Ways to welcome wildlife to your garden (E-newsletter May12)

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 08/05/2012 10:00:31

A beeautiful new home (Enewsletter May12)

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 04/05/2012 16:27:04
Bee hotels are a wonderful way to help boost the populations of local bees. Many bees live in hives but others set up solitary nests in small spaces like holes or stems. Using lots of hollow tubes bee hotels create ideal conditions for these bees. Having one close by is a great way to observe bees coming and going as well as helping them out with a safe place to live.

Quirky caddisfly (Enewsletter May12)

webmaster@field-studies-council.org — 04/05/2012 10:30:30