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