The Practical Endorsement for OCR A Level Geology requires a minimum of 12 practical activities.

    In our packed 5-day course, students will complete a range of PAGs and cover course content from the seven modules of the OCR Geology specification. Students will be required to “think geologically” about unfamiliar locations and use a variety of IT software and spatial systems to collect, analyse, and present data.

    Example Timetable

    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.

     

    How this course fulfills the specification

    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

    Added value of this course

     

    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

     

    Why Choose Field Studies Council?

    • Expert tuition by fully trained staff

    • Stunning locations across the UK

    • Outstanding curriculum knowledge

    • Rigorous health and safety procedures

    • Support before and after your visit

    • Free places for visiting staff