News

A2 Biology Field Trip

25.11.2010

On Monday 15 November six intrepid adventurers braved the elements and various agricultural animals to visit the Field Studies Centre in Betws-Y-Cooed, North Wales.

The four day trip was to study ecological sampling techniques as part of their A2 Biology course. The trip involved visits to sites of Special Scientific Interest and a National Nature Reserve. The students undertook such activities as mark-release and recapture of small mammals (not for those who don’t like mice-EEK!), fresh water stream sampling, succession monitoring, conservation and the collection of valid ecological field data.  They acquired skills in using various types of quadrat, doing various statistical tests and using different technological equipment.  The course was a valuable insight into self discovery too, with students having to be self sufficient in time keeping, working in teams and most important of all-making their own packed lunch!

Although the course made great demands of the students; often working from 9.00 am in the morning until 8.30 pm in the evening they all agreed they’d had a great time, saying they had learned invaluable practical skills that they would otherwise be unable to attain here in school. No mice were harmed during this course!

Mr Bradshaw (Head of Biology).