FSC Scotland: Kindrogan Higher Geography Our Higher Geography courses at FSC Kindrogan are designed to meet the specification requirements set out by SQA, including covering core physical and human environment topics, developing geographical skills and providing opportunities for fieldwork linked to the Geography Higher Assignment. FSC Kindrogan Enochdu Perthshire PH10 7PG 01250 870150 enquiries.sco@field-studies-council.org FSC Scotland has a long history of fieldwork at both its Millport and Kindrogan Centres and therefore has a wealth of resources to support Highers and Advanced Highers courses, including well stocked libraries and large equipment stores as well as knowledgeable and experienced tutors. Whether sat in our pine marten hide at FSC Kindrogan or on board the RV Actinia at FSC Millport we hope you will enjoy watching the local wildlife as much as we do. We aim to provide each student with a unique, engaging and entertaining outdoor learning experience.
Example programme This potential five day course is based on our most popular options and designed to meet the requirements of SQA Higher Geography. Further descriptions, curriculum links and alternative sessions can be found below. DAY MORNING AFTERNOON EVENING DAY 1 Arrive midday Met by tutor, introduction to the Centre and local area. Welcome and outline of the course Allocation of wellies/waterproofs. Physical Environments: Lithosphere Landform Mapping and Glaciation Students will search for evidence of how ice has shaped landscape around Kindrogan. This half day session gives students the chance to observe, describe, explain and map these erosional and depositional features. Introduction to Rivers Day (Day 2) Setting up the investigation aims and hypotheses and introducing the study area. DAY 2 Rivers: Physical Characteristics and Geographical Skills Students will collect data on river characteristics on a local Highland river (including depth, width, wetted perimeter, velocity, bedload and gradient) and investigate how these change with distance downstream comparing these to traditional river models. This geographical investigation will follow the process outlined in the Higher Geography assignment document. We will also observe a number of river landforms. DAY 3 Physical Environments: Biosphere Soils Introducing three soils, a podzol, brown earth and gley. Students, at three exposures down a soil catena, will create soil profile sketches. We will also collect environmental and vegetation data along a transect from the top of a local soil catena to the valley floor. This data will then be graphed and analysed in a follow up session. Data Analysis Data will be graphed, and analysed using an appropriate statistical test (usually Pearson s), conclusion drawn and the investigation evaluated. Write up of Geographical Investigation Students will be given the opportunity to write up their geographical investigation, focusing on writing up the introductory section (including identifying the geographical topic) and methods (how research was carried out (including map work and fieldwork). DAY 4 Write up of Geographical Investigation This second session will focus on processing of data and graphing that data in different forms to allow students to later evaluate, analyse and synthesise information drawn from a range of sources. We will conclude with students summarising their notes in preparation for the Controlled Assessment aspect of the assignment. DAY 5 Physical Environments: Lithosphere Rural Land Use Conflict in a Post Glacial Environment Using Ordnance Survey maps and GIS from a vantage point on Kindrogan Hill. We will identify and discuss rural land use conflict including issues relating to forestry, deer overpopulation, farming, grouse shooting and tourism in the Strathardle Glen. Physical Environments: Hydrosphere Investigations Whilst investigating elements of the hydrological cycle within the River Ardle drainage basin, students will be introduced to storm hydrographs. Fieldwork includes measuring interception rates and infiltration rates in different land uses and relating this to flood risk. Depart at midday. Write up of Geographical Investigation Students will focus on drawing conclusions from the information collected during the geographical investigation, and will be given opportunities to integrate geographical knowledge and understanding of the topic into these conclusions. Please note: to ensure safe and quality learning experiences for students, the timetable may alter depending on weather conditions and local factors at centres. All sessions will follow the geographical inquiry process and build on students geographical investigative skills. The course will integrate key cross-curricular themes such as learning for sustainability and continue to build on the four capacities, placing students in an unfamiliar environment in which they work together to solve problems, take part in group presentations and positively impact on the environment. GIS will be integrated into investigations, such as GPS to locate study areas and landscape features. We will also follow up investigations using GIS techniques such as GE Graph and Google Earth. Please contact us to discuss possible alternatives if you require something bespoke to meet your particular needs.
Session details Session outline, with key geographical skills Physical Environments: Hydrosphere Investigations Students will investigate different elements of the hydrological cycle within the River Ardle drainage basin and relate this to the concept of storm hydrographs. Fieldwork will include comparing interception rates in two different woodland areas (evergreen and deciduous woodland) and infiltration rates in two different areas (woodland and a compacted field). We will also complete a storm simulation modelling exercise in which students will draw their own storm hydrograph from a modelled rainfall event in a simulated urban, vegetated and farmed landscape. Collect data on infiltration and interception in two land uses. Label a storm hydrograph. Describe the data collected on infiltration, interception and storm simulation. Explain how different land uses impact on flood risk in a drainage basin. Draw a storm hydrograph and compare different hydrographs. Create box and whisker graphs to compare to data sets and interpret this data. Consider what statistical test could be used to compare data collected in two different land uses. Evaluate the methodology used to collect data during the session and suggest improvements. Rivers: Physical Characteristics and Geographical Skills We will visit a local highland river, setting up a geographical investigation following the process outlined Higher Geography assignment document. Students will collect data on river characteristics (including depth, width, wetted perimeter, velocity, bedload and gradient) and investigate how these change with distance downstream comparing these to traditional river models. We will also observe a number of river landforms. Draw a field sketch. Collect a variety of data along a transect down a highland river and describe that data. Use an Ordnance Survey map, locating river landforms and/or field sites on the map in the field. Describe fieldwork methods used to carry out fieldwork. Complete a field sketch and annotated photo showing river landforms and explaining their formation. Complete a statistical test using collected river data and draw meaningful conclusions from this. Analyse cross-sections graphically showing river data collected during the investigation. Collate data collected by the group in tabular form using ICT and Excel. Evaluate the river investigation, considering how the investigation could be improved or developed. Consider different ways to graph data, including pros and cons of some of these different techniques. Physical Environments: Biosphere Soils This session focuses on the formation processes and characteristics of three soils, a podzol, brown earth and gley. Students will visit three different exposures along a soil catena transect creating soil profile sketches of each and comparing and contrasting the vegetation and wider environment at these sites. If done as full day students will collect fieldwork data about the vegetation at each site, and analyse soil samples from down the profile at all three locations, collecting data on ph, conductivity and moisture content and graphing and analysing this data back in the lab. Sketch a gley, brown earth and podzol soil profile. Collect data on soil forming factors at three sites (including climate, organisms, relief and rock type). Explain how soil forming factors create three distinct soils. Compare and contrast three different soil profiles. Relate ph, conductivity and moisture data collected to soil processes occurring down a soil profile. Length & transport Full day Half or full day
Session details Physical Environments: Lithosphere Landform Mapping and Glaciation Evidence of the last glacial maximum 18,000 years ago and the Loch Lomond re-advance 10,000 years ago has left its marks around Kindrogan. This half day session gives students the chance to observe, describe, explain and map these erosional and depositional features, using GPS units to locate them. Observed landforms include a U-shaped valley, moraines, kames, kame terraces and kettle holes. Identify geomorphological features on an Ordnance Survey map in the field. Map several geomorphological features. Create a field sketch which describes glacial landfoms. Explain how glacial landforms in the area were created. Map and identify erosional and depositional glacial landforms. Relate the landforms in this post glacial environment to previous distinctive climatic periods. Evaluate theories of landform formation based on field observations. Physical Environments: Lithosphere Rural Land Use Conflict in a Post Glacial Environment Strathardle Glen has a rich tapestry of land use which will be mapped using Ordnance Survey maps and GIS from a vantage point on Kindrogan Hill. Rural land use conflict will be identified and discussed including issues relating to forestry, deer overpopulation, farming, grouse shooting and tourism. Map different land uses. Identify possible rural land use conflict. Explain how GPS and GIS tools can be used to aid the mapping and geographical investigation process. Describe potential conflict within different land uses. Suggest management techniques which could mitigate rural land use conflict. Consider how this landscape is likely to change in the future. Physical Environments: Lithosphere Glenshee, a Post Glacial Environment A range of classic glacial features, including glacial troughs, corries, and moraines will be mapped on route to and at Glenshee. As well as observing, describing, explaining and mapping these erosional and depositional features, students will investigate the impact of people on this landscape, including collecting data on vegetation on and off winter ski pistes. Identify geomorphological features on an Ordnance Survey map in the field. Collect data on vegetation on and off ski pistes. Create a field sketch which describes glacial landfoms. Explain how glacial landforms in the area were created. Assess the impact of tourism, including skiing, on this upland environment. Map and identify erosional and depositional glacial landforms. Full day Glen Shee transport charge 7 per student Relate the landforms in this post glacial environment to previous distinctive climatic periods. Consider how this landscape could be better managed. Write Up of Geographical Investigation We can provide a range of sessions giving students an opportunity to write up their notes from one of the investigations they have carried out (the river investigation is a popular choice). We will structure this in a way to prepare students for the assignment Controlled Assessment, ensuring students have completed much of this element of the course before they leave the Centre. Various Each session we do will focus on a different aspect of the investigation and the learning from the session will be distilled down by students to form the basis of notes for the Controlled Assessment assignment.
Session details Flooding (linked to global climate change and river basin management) We will visit a case study of flooding in Perth and investigate how the drainage basin has been managed to alleviate flooding in the city. Flood risk will be quantified by assessing the likelihood and severity in sections of the city and this data will be displayed through GIS using GE Graph and Google Earth. Flood management strategies will be visited and evaluated using a bipolar analysis. This is a popular option at the beginning and end of field trips as we can meet the group at the field site (or they can leave directly from the field site) reducing transport costs. Describe the impact of flooding in Perth on the environment and local population. Identify key characteristics of the drainage basin which make Perth vulnerable to flooding. Explain the function of specific flood management elements within the drainage basin. Suggest how future climate change related extreme weather scenarios can be managed. Critically evaluate the flood management system and consider how effective these defences are likely to be in the future given current climate change predictions. Human Urban Change Visiting Perth we will investigate how the city centre and inner city are changing. We will carry out a survey of retail outlets, and look at how these have changed over recent years, focusing on the increase in empty retail units since 2008 and the increase in chain stores through a clone town study. In a full day we will also undertake a pedestrian count and environmental survey and map this data during an evening session using GIS. We will also discuss regeneration and management strategies which are being employed in the city to manage these changes. This is a popular option at the beginning and end of field trips as we can meet the group in the city (or they can leave directly from the city if it is their last session) reducing transport costs. Half or full day Perth transport charge 10 per student Half or full day Perth transport charge 10 per student Explain the need for careful management of an aspect of urban regeneration. Describe the impact of urban change in Perth. Evaluate several human environment data collection methods. Describe patterns in the data linking to recent urban regeneration strategies. Suggest future strategies that could be implemented to take into account population growth. Adventurous Activities If you would like to integrate any adventurous activities into your programme to contrast with the fieldwork elements of the course we can provide a range of options including: Low ropes challenge: Working together, students will balance, stretch and jump over a number of obstacles on our low ropes course. This session also integrates a number of trust exercises to ensure students can safely support each other during this activity. High ropes challenge: Kindrogan has four different high ropes challenges (High V, leap of faith, crate climb and zip wire). All elements are designed to encourage students to work together and support each other to complete the challenge and develop communication skills. Students will also gain a different perspective of the woodland surrounding Kindrogan, climbing up towards the canopy during the session. There is an additional charge of 3.50 per high ropes element per student (2014 price). Mountain walk: Climb a local Munro, learning map skills en route to the summit. There is an additional charge of 7.50 per student (2014 price). Rafting: Students will need to work together and problem solve to construct and sail a raft across an upland lake. There is an additional cost of 3.50 per student (2014 price). Rope sessions: Approx. 2hrs Mountain walk: Full day Rafting:
Find out more Centres that offer this course: KD Kindrogan 01250 870150 To find out more or book this course simply: 1. Choose the time of year you would like to attend. 2. Check availability online or contact FSC Kindrogan. FSC Kindrogan Enochdhu Blairgowrie Perth and Kinross PH10 7PG Tel: 01250 870150 Email: enquiries.sco@field-studies-council.org If you would like to book a course to meet your exact requirements, please contact us to discuss this. We can work with you to plan and deliver your own fully flexible course. FSC Scotland offers quality fieldwork experiences for schools, colleges and universities at all levels. See our other FSC Scotland geography fieldwork courses or Higher courses