A Level Geology Practical Skills Developed through Fieldwork and Specified Practicals: Eduqas, AS/A Level Geology

Day 1

Arrive Midday

Students will be greeted by FSC staff, with a welcome talk followed by a brief tour of the Centre and the local area. An outline of the course will be given and wellies/waterproofs allocated.

Afternoon

Introduction to the Geology of the Local Area

During this first interactive session, students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a stunning geological location close to the field centre.
Using a range of secondary sources and first hand observations students will build up their knowledge of the geological history of the area.

Evening

Students will familiarize themselves with the concepts and models appropriate to the course. Engagement with the skills, techniques and apparatus appropriate to the geological fieldwork enquiry process. Students will consider how to conduct their fieldwork responsibly, showing awareness for their own safety and impact on the environment.

Objectives will be set for the course which consider practical skills needed for geological fieldwork including:

• Independent thinking
• Use and application of scientific methods and practices
• Numeracy and the application of mathematical concepts in a practical context
• Instruments and equipment
• Research and referencing
• Links to the Eduqas Geology specification

If time/day light allows some of this session can be delivered outdoors including:

• Making and recording observations/measurements.
• Keeping appropriate records of experimental activities.
• Presenting information and data in a scientific way.

Day 2

Morning and afternoon

What does the Evidence of Rock Deformation Reveal about the Tectonic History of this Area?

Students will complete a field based investigation locating geological features onto a base map. Features such boundaries between rock units and faults will be identified. Quantitative measurements of these features such as unit thickness, dip, dip direction, strike and displacement will be collected.

Evening

Use of ICT to Compile, Visualise and Process Data

Orientation data will be recorded on tablets using ArcGIS online, and imported bedrock geology from the BGS used to create a geological map synthesizing their own field data with a large secondary data source.

Day 3

Morning and afternoon

What do Sedimentological Evidence and Paleontological Evidence Indicate about the Changes in the Environments of Deposition of the Sedimentary Rocks at this Locality?

Students will collect/access sediment samples from a range of present day depositional environments (river bed, sand dunes, beach). Students will make qualitative descriptions of these environments of deposition. Evidence collected will help students piece together paleo-depositional environments of sedimentary rock units in the local area.

Graphic Logs

From their fieldwork measurements and full rock descriptions students will construct a graphic log of this geological exposure.

Evening

Statistical Analysis

Calculation of true orthogonal thickness
With geological maps and the principles of trigonometry, thickness of a set of sedimentary rocks will be calculated.
Using their own knowledge, interpretation of primary data and research, students will present their ideas of the tectonic history of this area.

Day 4

Morning and afternoon

What does the Evidence from these Localities Reveal about the Relative Time Sequence of Geological Events in this Area?

Students will be immersed in a location with unfamiliar igneous field exposures. Using igneous photomicrographs students will gather primary field data to identify minerals, textures, rock type and cooling history of the igneous rocks in this area.
Students will produce scaled annotated field sketches (including the use of fiducial scale) to record data collected. This will enable students to determine the relative time sequence of rock units in the location.

Evening

Microscopes

Students will have the opportunity to observe the texture of samples of igneous rock through a microscope. Using a graticule and stage micrometer to measure crystals in the sample using order of magnitude calculations.
They will have the opportunity to produce scientific drawings from observations, including detailed annotations.
Using their own knowledge, interpretation of primary data and research, students will present their ideas of the tectonic history of this area.

Day 5

Morning and afternoon

What do Sedimentological Evidence and Paleontological Evidence Indicate about the Changes in the Environments of Deposition of the Sedimentary Rocks at this Locality?

Using the dried samples collected from a previous day sediment will be sieved and the mass recorded to perform a grain size analysis by plotting grain size distribution as a cumulative frequency graph.
Characteristics of normal and skewed data distribution will be discussed as students interpret size analysis data.

OR

Investigating Fossils

Students will visit a local fieldwork site and study fossils in-situ.
Classification systems using distinguishing characteristics will be used to identify fossils
Annotated scientific drawings of fossils from hand lens observations.

Use of photomicrographs to identify minerals and rock textures

(SP7 sedimentary, SP9 igneous, SP11 metamorphic- location dependent)

Produce full rock descriptions of macro and micro features from conserved hand samples and unfamiliar field exposures

(SP5 sedimentary, SP8 igneous, SP10 metamorphic-location dependent)

SP5 Production of full rock description of macro and micro features from hand specimens and unfamiliar field exposures of sedimentary rocks in order to interpret component composition, colour and textures, to identify rock types and to deduce their environment of deposition.

SP8 Production of full rock description of macro and micro features from hand specimens and/or unfamiliar field exposures of igneous rocks in order to interpret component composition, colour and textures, to identify rock type and to deduce their cooling history.

SP9 Use of photomicrographs to identify minerals and rock textures of igneous rocks to identify rock type and deduce cooling history.

SP12 Location of geological features onto a base map

SP13 Identification of the location of geological features in the field using six figure grid references on maps.

SP14 Production of scaled, annotated field sketches at unfamiliar field exposures to record data relevant to an investigation.

SP15 Measurement of dip and strike elements: dip angle, dip and strike directions of planar surfaces.

SP16 Application of classification systems using distinguishing characteristics to identify unknown fossils.

SP17 Production of scaled, annotated scientific drawings of fossils, using a light microscope, or hand lens observation.

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