A Level Geology Practical Skills Developed through Fieldwork and PAGs in 5 days

Day 1

Morning

Arrive Midday

• Students will be greeted by staff, with a welcome talk followed by a brief tour of the centre and the local area.
• Outline of the course
• Allocation of walking boots/waterproofs, and geology field kits.

Afternoon

Introduction to the geology of the local area

• Students will visit a local field site and immerse themselves into the local geology through observations and interpretations to build up their knowledge of the geological history of the area.
• PAGs may include: PAG 1.2, PAG 1.3

Evening

Skills Workshop and Follow Up

• Workshops may include one or a combination of the following: Quantitative analysis (e.g. statistics) / Data Presentation / Geographical Information Systems (GIS) / Using secondary research sets. At some Field Studies Council centres grain size analysis is available (PAG 4.1).

Day 2

Morning and Afternoon

Sedimentary Processes and Fossils

• Students will identify sedimentary rocks and structures in the field and record orientation to interpret paleocurrent direction. Students will identify fossils and record observations and measurements in the field.
• PAGs may include: PAG 4.3, PAG 5.3

Evening

Skills Workshop and Follow Up

• Workshops may include one or a combination of the following: Quantitative analysis (e.g. statistics) / Data Presentation / Geographical Information Systems (GIS) / Using secondary research sets. At some Field Studies Council centres grain size analysis is available (PAG 4.1).

Day 3

Morning and Afternoon

Investigating Crystalline and Orogenic Processes

• Students will investigate metamorphism around an igneous intrusion, identify minerals and record a geological map of the structures and orientations.
• PAGs may include: PAG 1.2, PAG 3.3, PAG 7.3, PAG 11.3

Evening

Skills Workshop and Follow Up

• Workshops may include one or a combination of the following: Quantitative analysis (e.g. statistics) / Data Presentation / Geographical Information Systems (GIS) / Using secondary research sets. At some Field Studies Council centres grain size analysis is available (PAG 4.1).

Day 4

Morning and Afternoon

Investigating Geological Sequences

• Students will use the fieldwork; investigation skills and sampling strategies developed throughout the week to complete a mini-investigation and produce a graphic log of a geological exposure. Students will use their geological observations, structures and field sketches to interpret the geological history of the location.
• PAGs may include: PAG 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 11.2

Evening

Skills Workshop and Follow Up

• Workshops may include one or a combination of the following: Quantitative analysis (e.g. statistics) / Data Presentation / Geographical Information Systems (GIS) / Using secondary research sets. At some Field Studies Council centres grain size analysis is available (PAG 4.1).

Day 5

Morning

Geology Workshop Options

• PAG 8.3: Investigating fluid movement – Porosity & Permeability
  Students will collect samples to investigate porosity and permeability.
• PAG 9.1: Site Investigations – Geotechnical Desk Study
  Using GIS to research bedrock features, students will determine suitable locations for building wind turbines.
• PAG 9.3: Site Investigations – Geotechnical Site Investigation
  Students will collect data using surveying techniques, slope angle mapping and sampling strategies.

Depart at Midday

• A final farewell from our staff as the students depart at midday

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

Throughout a full 5-day course it may be possible to complete the following, dependent on your chosen centre and sites available.

PAG 1.2: Describing rocks

PAG 1.3: Geology on the street

PAG 3.3: Contact zone

PAG 4.1: Grain size

PAG 4.3: Sedimentary structures

PAG 5.1: Fossil identification

PAG 5.3: Fossils in the field

PAG 6.1: Geochronology

PAG 6.2: Structural Geology

PAG 6.3: Logging a sequence

PAG 7.3: Mineralisation and metamorphism

PAG 8.3: Porosity and permeability

PAG 9.1: Geotechnical desk study

PAG 9.3: Geotechnical site investigation

PAG 11.2: Investigating sediments

PAG 11.3: Investigating crystalline rocks

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