S1-S3 Environmental Exploration and Adventure 5 day course SQA

Day 1

Morning

Arrive midday

• Students greeted by Field Studies Council staff.
• Welcome talk and Centre tour.
• Pre-course meeting with Field Studies Council staff and teachers.
• Allocation of wellies/waterproofs.

Afternoon

Team Challenges

Learners will discuss the qualities of the perfect team member before putting their ideas into action completing a variety of activities which will test and strengthen their teamwork skills for the week ahead. (Health and Wellbeing)

Evening

Orienteering

Work in small teams to complete the orienteering course, find answers to questions on the local area, its biodiversity and history, and burn off some excess energy to ensure a good night’s sleep!

Day 2

Morning and Afternoon

Biodiversity and Interdependence

Learners will start by making observations and asking questions about a habitat, such as the local rocky shore or surrounding woodland. We will measure the biodiversity of the ecosystem, learn about energy flow and the adaptations of the organisms we’ve found, getting a closer look through microscopes. (Sciences)

Evening

Mammal Trapping and Dusk Walk

We will set humane traps for a variety of nocturnal animals, discovering their adaptations for survival, and considering population dynamics over time.

Day 3

Morning and Afternoon

People, Place and Environment: Processes and People

Working through the process of geographical enquiry we will start by asking questions about the local urban settlements. Who were the first settlers? Why did they settle here? Who visits now? We will investigate how history has influenced the town we see today. Students will be introduced to geographical investigative techniques such as land use surveys, environmental quality assessments, pedestrian counts and questionnaires. (Social Studies)

Evening

Presentations

Use data analysis techniques to understand data collected during the day.

Day 4

Morning

Adventure Exploration

Go for a hike to understand more about the environment around your Centre. As well as the benefits of physical exercise, hiking can strengthen friendships, boost creativity and foster resilience and a good relationship with the natural world.

Afternoon

Conservation

We will positively enrich the environment to reduce negative signs of human activity. In small teams we will work on conservation activities including contribution to the citizen science project ‘The Big Microplastics Survey’ or creating habitats for bugs, birds or mammals. (Sciences, Health and Wellbeing)

Evening

Campfire

A chance to share your favourite moment from the week, tell a ghost story and perhaps toast a marshmallow.

Day 5

Morning

Bushcraft

We will build shelters and practice a variety of bushcraft techniques including fire lighting.

Depart at midday

Final farewell from Field Studies Council staff.

Please note: to ensure safe and quality learning experiences for students, the timetable may alter depending on weather conditions and local factors at centres.

Develop skills

• Communication | Resilience | Independent thinking | Leadership
• Numeracy | Literacy | Investigative skills | Observation

Enhance Knowledge

• Ask questions.
• Apply knowledge in the real world and make links.
• Make sense of new places and understand our place and role within this.

Enjoy

• Have fun | Make friendships | Connect with nature