Outdoor Classroom | For Ireland

Leaving Certificate Geography

The FSC has been providing geography fieldwork courses at all levels for over 60 years. Through our leaving certificate programmes your students can:

• Collect geographical data through sampling.
• Develop analytical skills through graphical and statistical techniques.
• Encounter real processes and landscapes in a variety of settings.
• Make links with other areas of geography.

To provide schools and young people with the highest quality learning experience we believe that it is important to offer flexibility and choice. Our full-time teaching staff at Derrygonnelly and Dale Fort pride themselves on delivering courses which are tailored to your needs.

In your stay with us we can also cover a variety of topics within the Leaving Certificate syllabus - Ordinary and Higher - including:

Leaving certificate geographical investigation

The course is designed to meet the changing requirements of the current syllabus. Fieldwork and data sampling, as well as tutoring in all sections of the reporting booklet are included.  The fieldwork can be tailored to the needs of each group with all data required collected in one day and the reporting booklet covered with increasing depth according to length of stay.  Geomorphic processes in fluvial, coastal and glacial environments can be studied (depending on centre visited); alternatively changing land-use in a rural or urban area can be investigated.  Each field work day includes an introductory session, as well as the opportunity to analyse and present the data collected using relevant graphical techniques.  Each day includes a conclusion and summary session.  For more information see example below.

Leaving Certificate Syllabus Fieldwork Days

Leaving certificate students benefit hugely from a range of field study days offered at FSC centres.  These include:

• Landform Development and human interaction: Sedimentary structures and bedding planes investigated as part of a study of limestone landscapes.
• The Dynamics of Settlement: Settlement size, situation, function and land use investigated as the main focus of a settlement investigation.
• Geoecology: Soil structure and development studied with soil profiles.
• Leaving Certificate national and international settings:  The Dartry-Cuilcagh uplands and Marble Arch uplands can both be studied as part of a course at Derrygonnelly field centre, looking at the tectonic and rock cycles as well as landform development.  In addition, the Brecon Beacons, Dartmoor and Devon can be studied from selected FSC centres in Britain.

Does length of stay matter?

The longer you stay with us, the more your students will achieve, the more profound the experience will be and the greater the impact on your students.

It’s not all about coursework!

We are realistic. We know that assessment and coursework are important these days but we haven’t forgotten that it is the other bits of the FSC fieldwork experience that will probably leave the greatest impression on your students:

• Being in a beautiful place
• Making new friends
• Learning to work together
• Learning new life skills
• Building independence
• Having fun.

Geographical Investigation 2006/2007

FSC Derrygonnelly specialises in tutoring the geographical investigation.  The fieldwork and supporting resources have been developed specifically for students studying leaving certificate.

Geomorphic processes of transportation and deposition in a fluvial environment. 
During this day students will follow a route to enquiry to investigate how transportation and deposition have affected the Lough Naman River. Students will be introduced to a range of quantitative and qualitative observational techniques which will sharpen the skills of data analysis and interpretation.

Learning Outcomes

• To observe, identify and measure the dominant fluvial processes occurring in the Lough Naman River, concentrating on transportation and deposition.
• To investigate the formation of river bends.
• To investigate through observation, sketching and measurements the physical characteristics of river sinuosity and meanders.

Site and Description of Location

This programme of study takes place in the Lough Naman River, Co. Fermanagh. The river has its source in Conagher Forest.  It is a tributary of the River Sillees which runs past the centre to its mouth into Lough Erne in Enniskillen. The river flows from its upland source through lowland farmland over a varied geology with typical river and landscape landforms. Journey time is approximately 15 minutes from the centre.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• ALL students will be able to: recall and use several techniques used to measure river parameters, recognise a range of process operating in a river landscape; identify a river bend and some of its associated characteristics.
• MOST students will be able to: recall and use a range of techniques used to measure river parameters; identify a river bend and its associated characteristics; recognise a range of processes operating in a river and how some of these relate to the formation of a river bend
• SOME students will be able to: recall, use and evaluate a range of techniques to measure river parameters; identify a river bend and its associated characteristics; Recognise and understand a range of processes operating in a river and how these relate to the formation of a river bend

Key Terminology

• Words related to the fluvial environment: deposition, transportation, discharge, friction, energy, load, sediment, erosion.
• Words related to the fieldwork: ruler, flow-meter, tape, width, depth, wetted perimeter, field sketch,

Summary of Fieldwork

Equipment and booking sheets will be supplied to measure a full range of channel characteristics including width, depth, velocity and load. There will be sufficient stations sampled to enable the data to be presented using graphs, maps and sketches.   Methodology and techniques will be studied in relation to the investigation.  Conclusion and evaluation will be drawn and the day summarised.

Health and Safety

A number of sites along the Lough Naman River are used with site selection made according to river conditions; this ensures the students can collect data safely in shallow, easily accessible water. Students will be instructed not to run and to cross the stream with care. Wellington boots and waterproofs are available for those who require them.