Geography Southwest Newsbites January 2024
Welcome to the first Geography Southwest Newsbites of 2024. We begin the New Year with a summary of events in February and March and some relevant new resources and topical regional news.
Remember to put the date of the free Geography Southwest conference 2024 into your diary. It will be held on Monday 17 June at University of West of England. (UWE). Full details and booking arrangements will be published at the end of March.
Check out new articles on this website, including the story of the innovative eco-blocks as part of the coastal defences at Newlyn in Cornwall. Newlyn's eco-blocks: low carbon coastal management research and development. https://www.geographysouthwest.co.uk/secondary/16-plus-articles/newlyns-eco-blocks-low-carbon-coastal-management-research-and-development/
Geography events
The Royal Geographical Society (RGS) programme of talks and events for teachers can be found on their website: Royal Geographical Society - Browse our events (rgs.org). Note that some events are in-person only and there are charges for certain events.
Tuesday 20 February: Day course in London on creating GIS resources for classroom use. GIS 'Makerspace' (1) - RGS
Tuesday 27 February at 1700: Online CPD event, looking at new strategies for assessment and feedback, with practical advice and strategies on where to begin when implementing new assessment and feedback methods in the classroom. Assessment and feedback in geography: debunking theory into practical classroom approaches - RGS
Thursday 8 February at 1600: Online: Maths for Geography teachers: Exploring large data sets. This is part of the continuing series of maths for geography teachers which together form a valuable course particularly for those teaching A level or IB and preparing students for NEAs. Maths for teachers of A Level geography: Exploring large data sets - RGS
Monday 4 March at 1830: London and Online. Lecture on The Future of UK Oil by Professor Gavin Bridge. The future of UK oil (1) - RGS
Wednesday 20 March at 1700: Online: Subject knowledge update – Hazards and risk. A topical and very relevant online presentation looking at the concept of hazard versus disaster and the theories around key ideas such as resilience, vulnerability and risk. Case studies will include Turkey/Syria earthquake, Hawaiian (Lahaina) fires, the Libya flood, the Morocco earthquake and the eruption in Iceland, with supporting materials. Subject knowledge update: hazards and risk - RGS
March 2024 revision workshops for AQA students
tutor2u is offering revision workshops for AQA A-Level Geography students in Bristol (13th March, Cribbs Causeway) and Birmingham (14th March, Star City) in March. These cinema-based sessions are designed to help students prepare for the summer exams and include access to a complementary online course. To book visit: https://www.tutor2u.net/workshops/aqa-a-level-geography-grade-booster
tutor2u is also offering a similar workshop for AQA GCSE Geography students in Birmingham (15th March, Star City). To book visit: https://www.tutor2u.net/workshops/aqa-gcse-geography-grade-booster
The Geographical Association have published advance details of the GA Conference 2024, and early bird tickets are now available. The Conference will take place on the 4–6 April 2024 at the University of Manchester providing three days of high-quality professional development and networking for all phases of geographical education. GA Annual Conference and Exhibition 2024 (geography.org.uk)
Monday 4 March at 1600: Getting ready to mark the NEA. This online CPD session is aimed at teachers who are new to the geography A level NEA and will cover the assessment criteria and sources of support, and use examples to go through the marking process. Getting ready to mark the NEA (geography.org.uk)
Connecting the Culm are holding their next Forum on Thursday 14 March on Nature Recovery for the Culm. A panel of expert speakers will give talks on how we can work with water for nature, beavers, crayfish, the National Trust's work at Killerton and water quality. The event is free with complimentary cheese and wine provided - please register here.
Geography resources
New Geography Journal: Routes: The Journal For Student Geographers has just published its latest issue, Volume 3, Issue 3, which is the first produced by the new editors-in-chief, Dr Jonathon Turnbull and Dr Liam Saddington: Current Issue Volume 3 Issue 3 – Routes (routesjournal.org) This online journal, with articles written by sixth form students and undergraduates includes topical essays and case studies, film reviews and tips for being a successful geographer. This issue highlights a diverse body of geographical work, covering topics from place-making to water scarcity to flood risk management to Black geographies and film. Sixth form students are also encouraged to send essays and articles for possible publication, and in the resources section, you can read how one teacher uses articles from Routes to support learning.
Teaching coasts, slope movements or hazards? Check out Alan Holiday’s Rockwatch resource on the Nothe Gardens landslip in Weymouth. Illustrated with clear images, this presents the causes of the landslip and the consequences for the coastline. Nothe Gardens landslide, then and now (rockwatch.org.uk)
Teaching the Carbon Cycle? Look at the latest resource from the Royal Meteorological Society on seasonal variations of the carbon cycle, with resources for students and teachers. A useful summary, relevant for both GCSE and A level geography students. MetLink - Royal Meteorological Society Carbon Dioxide - Seasonal Cycles -
Developing a curriculum on climate change? The Royal Meteorological Society has an interactive curriculum planning tool to help identify and explore the diverse range of concepts associated with climate change and the links between them. This is a useful tool for looking at how to develop climate literacy and exploring a range of ideas that could feature in a sequence of lessons. MetLink - Royal Meteorological Society Climate Change Concept Association Tool -
Teaching about Floods and strategies for reducing the risks from flooding? The commercial company AVRillo have produced a detailed paper summarising facts about flooding in the UK with useful statistics. It also looks at practical ways to reduce impacts of flooding on property and there are helpful links to other sources. 30 Facts About Flooding & the UK Property Market | AVRillo
Teaching about rocks, weathering and erosion? Rockwatch is the UKs’ nationwide Geology club for children with a range of resources and support for teachers at both primary and secondary level. Their website has lots of ideas including recipes for making edible rocks! Rockwatch produces a magazine three times a year and also runs events. Rockwatch
Rare Earth radio programmes:
BBC Radio 4 - Rare Earth – a series of programmes on BBC radio 4 co-produced with the Open University and presented by Tom Heap and Helen Czerski. The first three programmes look at why we are rubbish about tackling waste, why a new age of wood could be good for us, and how we could bring nature back from the brink. The programmes are supported with materials from the Open University which provide further information and resources on the issues discussed.
Teaching about hazards? Try the Marine GeoHazards quiz from the National Oceanography Centre. (NOC). It’s a good lesson starter and there are links to more detailed resources on the NOC website related to some of the questions. Marine Geohazards: Do You Know The Dangers? (brame-gamification.com)
Updates on flood risk and rainfall data from the Environment Agency. A campaign has been launched in Weston-Super-Mare to raise awareness of flood risk with 27000 properties at risk from river and coastal flooding. Campaign launched to raise flood awareness in Weston-super-Mare - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) The latest rainfall data weekly reports cover the period of exception rainfall I December and January and provide valuable accurate topical data for students. Weekly bulletin: Wednesday 27 December 2023 to Tuesday 2 January 2024 (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Geography News:
Hinkley Point C update: The construction of Hinkley Point C on the North Somerset Coast passed a major milestone in December 2023 when the dome of the first reactor building was lifted into place, allowing the actual reactor to be installed inside. The world’s largest crane Big Carl lifted the dome on Friday 15 December, on a day chosen for the light winds. World's largest crane lifts dome onto Hinkley Point C's first reactor building | ITV News West Country
Hinkley Point C is the first new nuclear power station to be built in the UK this century. It is being built on the coast of the Bristol Channel near Bridgwater and the construction site employs over 10,000 workers and resembles a large town. The site is alongside two older nuclear power stations Hinkley Point A and B which have been decommissioned and are in the process of being demolished. When operational, the two reactors at Hinkley Point C will generate 7% of the UK’s electrical energy, helping the country to achieve net zero as power stations using fossil fuels are phased out. However, announcements at the end of January 2024 stated that the original plan for the first reactor to be operational in 2027 is likely to be delayed until 2029 due to the complexity of the construction, supply chain issues, and the on-going effects of Brexit and Covid disruption. Hinkley Point faces £10bn cost hike and four-year delay | Construction News
Holnicote River restoration completed. Work to restore a 15 hectare section of Exmoor’s River Aller and its flood plain was completed in autumn 2023. The pioneering work, on the National Trust’s Holnicote estate in West Somerset is a first for the UK. The project has involved blocking the river’s managed channel, allowing it to find its own natural course across the flood plain, creating new habitats, and increasing wildlife diversity. 25000 wetland trees were planted. The aim is to restore the river to Stage Zero, reversing centuries of human interventions. The work is supported by academic research and studies of completed projects in the USA. The depth and speed of the river is being continuously monitored, and river bed pebbles are fitted with sensors to track movements. The data collected, along with wildlife surveys will provide evidence for future projects. After only a few months, surveys have shown a significant increase of birds, water voles, insects and plant species.
Project to liberate part of Somerset river hailed as ‘squelchy’ success | Rivers | The Guardian
Porlock Vale Riverlands project | Somerset | National Trust
A UK first for Somerset as Exmoor river floodplain restored - Somerset Rivers Authority
Westcountry hit by major storms. Devon, Cornwall and Somerset were hit by four major storms at the end of December and during January, as Gerrit, Henk, Isha and Jocelyn swept across the region. Storm Gerrit on 30/31 December produced high winds and waves and New Years’ events including fireworks were cancelled in some towns. Storm Henk on 3 January led to the highest recorded wind gust on that day at Exeter Airport of 81 mph, damaged Okehampton station and flooded the rail line between Swindon and Bristol Parkway and caused power cuts. Local tornadoes were also observed. Elsewhere, there were significant problems with flooding in Southampton, including the M27. Storm Henk batters UK leading to power outages, travel disruption and flooding - BBC News. Storm Isha on 21 January brought wind gusts of over 90 mph causing local structural damage and disrupting rail services. Storm Jocelyn on 22/23 January was the tenth named storm in the UK in five months and brought more high winds and local problems with flooding.
These storms follow on from high rainfall events during the Autumn, saturating the ground and increasing overland flow and river runoff. The current El Nino event together with climate change are factors leading to more major storms hitting the UK. UK weather: Why have there been so many storms this year? - BBC News
UK’s first Geothermal Power Plant being built in Cornwall. Work has begun on the UK’s first commercial Geothermal Power Plant at United Downs near Redruth this January. The plant will start producing power by the end of 2024, and along with associated plants at other sites, should generate enough electricity to power 70,000 homes by 2028. Heat will be harnessed from hot granite using two deep wells. Geothermal Engineering Limited (GEL) has been running power plant trials at its United Downs project for several years prior to this project. In addition to the electricity, geothermal fluids within the wells have a high concentration of lithium which can be extracted as a zero-carbon by- product. Further Geothermal production sites are planned across Cornwall. Construction of UK's first geothermal power plant begins in Cornwall - Cornwall Live