This course provides an opportunity for schools with low student numbers to attend.
Train station transfers are an additional £20.00 per student return.
This course price includes in-course transport, whilst at the centre.
Staff prices are half the student price plus VAT.
Due to safeguarding reasons we are unable to let adult learners attend these courses. To ensure safety all U18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult on residential courses, eg teacher or parent.
The cost of this course is VAT exempt, including in-course transport to field sites. Lunch on the first day is not included, but is on the final day. Staff are charged at half the student rate plus VAT, 1 staff member per school.
Tutor: Field Studies Council Staff
Courses are led by experienced Field Studies Council staff.
Example Timetable
Day 1
Morning
Arrive
Students will be greeted by their tutor, with a welcome talk followed by a brief tour of the Centre. Allocation of wellies and waterproofs.
Afternoon
An introduction and investigation into grassland ecology.
Investigation into the ground cover of plants in mown and grazed areas
Data analysis (before dinner, time dependent)
Simpson’s Diversity index
*Fieldwork/data analysis can count towards the following practicals:
- PAG 3 (Sampling techniques)
- Required Practical 12 - Investigation into the effect of a named environmental factor on the distribution of a given species
- Core practical 10 - ecology of a habitat
- Core practical 16 – Investigate the effect of one abiotic factor on distribution of one species
- Specified Practical Work TG12: Investigation into biodiversity in a habitat (Mown and grazed investigation)
Evening
Advanced Field Surveying
Small mammal sampling
N.B Mammal traps will be checked the following morning as part of this session.
Day 2
Morning / Afternoon
Check mammal traps
ENERGY, ECOSYSTEMS & ADAPTATIONS: (Freshwater – Embercombe)
Introduction to freshwater ecology, sampling, freshwater invertebrate adaptations, trophic levels and freshwater food chains.
Investigation into the effect of microhabitat on invertebrate abundance and distribution
Fieldwork may include: Kick sampling/stone washing to sample freshwater invertebrates, taking abiotic measurements. Comparison between microhabitats vs distance downstream.
Animal movement practical: Investigation into the effect of an environmental variable on the movement of an animal. Invertebrates will be introduced to different abiotic factors such as light and sediment availability.
Students will follow written instructions to design a simple choice chamber experiment, considering the safe and ethical use of organisms, formulating hypotheses and drawing conclusions from their results. Chi-squared may be used for further analysis.
*This practical can count towards the following practicals:
-PAG 11 - Investigation into the behavioral responses of a freshwater invertebrate species to different abiotic factors such as light and sediment availability.
- Required Practical 10- Investigation into the effect of an environmental variable on the movement of an animal. Invertebrates will be introduced to different abiotic factors such as light and sediment availability.
Evening
Data analysis (including data presentation and/or statistics where appropriate), drawing conclusions and evaluation of the investigation.
This can include one of the following:
Chi-square (Goodness of Fit)
Spearmans Rank
Day 3
Morning
BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT AND SAMPLING (Rocky shore)
Introduction to marine ecosystems, species identification, adaptations and zonation in a rocky shore ecosystem.
Investigation into zonation on a rocky shore
Fieldwork may include: species identification, transect sampling and use of abundance scales and cross-staffs, shell height measurements of limpets on parts of the lower and upper shore.
Data analysis (on return to centre, time dependent)
Standard deviation and T-test.
*Fieldwork/data analysis can count towards the following practicals:
- PAG 3 (Sampling techniques)
- Required Practical 12 - Investigation into the effect of a named environmental factor on the distribution of a given species
- Core practical 10 - ecology of a habitat
Evening
MINI INVESTIGATION PLANNING (CONTINUED)
Students continue to work to plan and research their own ecological investigation to be carried out in the grounds.
Day 4
Morning
MINI INVESTIGATION FIELDWORK
Students work individually or in small groups to plan their own ecological investigation which involves doing some research on their chosen species and methods, formulating an aim, planning methodology, sampling strategies ,risk assessing, data collection and in some cases students will move on to data presentation and analysis.
Field site(s): Nettlecombe Estate (no transport req.)
*This session can count towards the following practicals:
- PAG 3 (Sampling techniques)
- Required Practical 12 - Investigation into the effect of a named environmental factor on the distribution of a given species
- Core practical 10 - Ecology of a habitat
-Core practical 16 – Investigate the effect of one abiotic factor on distribution of one species
Course ends at midday
Sessions marked with a * can count towards practicals that meet the practical endorsement requirements.
What's Included
-
Expert Tuition -
Free Wi-Fi -
Full Board Accommodation -
Hot and Cold Drinks -
In Course Transport -
Picnic Lunch
Sorry this course booking is closed