Field Study Courses

GCSE Science

Field study courses can help the 'text book' become 'real life' and encourage the students to apply their knowledge to actual situations, whilst developing both enthusiasm and an interest for the subject and a critical approach. GCSE Science incorporates different disciplines, which all interrelate, and can be built into a specially tailored course for each school. Students can complete practical investigations to learn "How Science Works" and can look at
different case studies to see "Science in Action",
as well as considering other aspects of the
syllabus.

All field study sites are within a 40 minute drive from the Medina Valley Centre, or within walking distance.

GCSE Science field courses can be any length of time between two and five days, and can include time for the students to carry out piece of coursework.

Please contact us for an informal discussion about the courses we can offer.

Field study courses can include the following fieldwork options:

G Hartland (2006)

Pond Study: Students investigate invertebrate life in local ponds and consider their adaptations for survival. Results are used construct a pond food web and ecological pyramids of number, biomass & energy using ICT. The energy efficiency of different stages of the food chain is calculated.

Rocky Seashore: Students investigate life on the seashore and learn how to classify different animals into their different groups. Identification keys are used and students develop their own for up to 8 chosen species. There are also opportunities here for students to investigate feeding relationships and construct pyramids of number, biomass & energy with their results. 

River Study: Study of local streams to look for water quality indicator species and to measure water chemistry. Students are able to consider the impacts of human activity on water quality and how different pollutants affect stream invertebrates.

Farm Visit: Students visit Wight Salads for a study of commercial glasshouses & how they maximise agricultural yieds and use biological control effectively. We also have contacts with other farms on the Island and can arrange visits to allow students to consider the differences between organic & intensive farming and how farms can remain financially viable whilst looking after their surrounding environment.

Alternative Energy & Sustainable Development: Students use the Medina Valley Centre's renewable energy demonstration system and look at the efficiency of energy alternatives to fossil fuels. Students consider global warming, along with sustainable development and recycling.

Animal Behaviour: Students visit Isle of Wight Zoo and study behaviour of animals: instinctive & learned behaviours and feeding & reproductive behaviour as well as communication. Study behaviour of woodlice in choice chambers.

Woodland Management and Coppicing: Visit to local woodlands to study effects of coppicing on flora and fauna.

Example of a 2 day GCSE biology field study course available to download in pdf format - coming soon.