On Monday 29 September, the Geography Department took 16 Year 13 students to Box Hill, Dorking for a weeklong residential as part of the course requirement for their Independent Investigation (NEA).  The students had five full days of fieldwork and time to start writing up their Independent Investigations in the classroom.

Monday afternoon students began their fieldtrip looking at carbon sequestration in the woodlands, working in small groups to use simple techniques to measure and quantify this.  The students spent the evening completing calculations of carbon storage in different environments and began to explore, geo-location of data.

Tuesday's focus was on the human geography topic of shaping places.  We visited nearby Leatherhead to look at existing and proposed regeneration plans and to practise a range of primary data gathering techniques.  There was particular focus on qualitative and quantitative methods including questionnaires and more contemporary methods such as urban drifting.

Wednesday morning, using simple scientific techniques, students were able to consider implications of human activity on the water cycle in the local area.  They investigated different land cover types and considered the impact on the water cycle, both in terms of overland flow, infiltration and flood risk.  This required careful teamwork to make their investigation a success.

Finally, students then used the methods they had learnt to select an area and plan for their own investigation, identify the primary data techniques they would use and create the materials to gather this.  In addition, they conducted background research using a range of secondary online sources.

For the whole of Thursday, students went out in their groups to collect data for their own individual investigation.  The evening continued with analysis of the data and use of ArcGIS.

The week culminated in an evening toasting marshmallows around the firepit.

The students really made the most of every opportunity given to them.  They all made a very strong start to their NEA which constitutes up to 20% of their A Level grade. 

Very well done to the Year 13 Geographers for an excellent trip and outcome.