Geography Southwest Newsbites May 2022
Welcome to the Geography Southwest May 2022 Newsbites with a selection of geography events, resources and recent news items. We are delighted to have received the Highly Commended certificate in the Geographical Association's 2022 Publishers' awards. The GA citation reads:
“This website is a fantastic collaboration that creates and curates a range of resources about the South West of England in such a way that they are equally relevant for those within and beyond the region. The judges loved that it was reminiscent of a ‘working wall’ in a high performing classroom, where contributions are valued and built on. The perfect combination of geographical thinking and geographical action that will hopefully continue to grow and evolve with, for and through its users.”
We hope you can join us on Tuesday 28 June 2022 for the first SW Geography Teachers’ Conference, a partnership event involving Geography Southwest, the University of the West of England (UWE) and the RGS-IBG. The venue for this free conference is the Department of Geography, University of the West of England, and the day starts at 10.00 and finishes at 1615. Keynote speakers include Professor Chris Jackson (University of Manchester) on 'Can geology save the world?', Dr Anjana Khatwa (Earth Scientist and presenter) on the ‘Jurassic Coast' , Steve Brace (Head of Education and Outdoor Learning, RGS-IBG) on 'Geography - The difference it makes' and Dr Chris Spencer (UWE) on 'Coastal Management and Hazards'
This free conference aims to provide opportunities for secondary teachers to develop their knowledge and skills through keynote lectures and a range of workshops presented by academics and experts in their field. There will be ample opportunities for informal discussions over lunch, during breaks and whilst perusing the geography exhibition. Teacher entry is free, but places are limited, and early registration is recommended. Details of the draft programme and how to book can be found on this link: https://uwe.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2hnrpG0yo1FBcjk .
We are delighted to welcome Rayburn Tours as a new sponsor and partner. We shall be pleased to promote their high quality products and resources and we wish them all the very best as, in common with other educational travel operators, they emerge from the enormously challenging last couple of years. (See Geography Resources below for links to Rayburn Tours' latest resources)
Geography events:
The Royal Geographical Society (RGS) has a full programme of summer term events for teachers on their website including the recently added History and geography curricula at GCSE and A Level: embedding equality, diversity and inclusion, on Thursday 16 June in London. This is a joint event between the Society and the Historical Association is aimed at both history and geography teachers, focusing on curriculum content and the work that is being done to ensure the teaching of both subjects at examination level is more inclusive and representative. Royal Geographical Society - Representative history and geography curricula at GCSE and A Level: embedding equality, diversity and inclusion (rgs.org)
The RGS are also hosting a free online event for teachers of KS1 and 2 on Monday 23 May, from 4 pm to 5 pm Exploring Shackleton’s Antarctic, focussing on the Endurance22 expedition and the recent discovery of the wreck of Shackleton’s ship. The event will include an introduction to the various RGS teaching resources relating to the expedition. Royal Geographical Society - What's on at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) (rgs.org)
Other RGS events in May and June include:
Debating global governance: using simulations to teach A Level geography, online, 25 May, 5.00pm-6.00pm, free
Fieldwork essentials for early career teachers, in-person, London, 20 June, 10.00am-4.00pm, from £120
GIS for fieldwork and the NEA: 16 June – online, 7 July – in-person, London
ArcGIS for secondary geography teachers:
9 June – online, 14 June – in-person, London, 13 July – at Edge Hill University, Ormskirk
Fieldwork for primary geography - online workshop, online, 18 May, 2.00pm-4.30pm, from £60
Subject knowledge for Key Stage Two geography, online, 15 June, 2.00pm-4.30pm, from £60
Geography and history - together stronger, but separate…?, online, 8 July, 2.00pm-5.00pm, from £70
There are still places available for the Dartmoor National Park Authority Dartmoor Educators’ Forum on Tuesday 10th May 2022, at YHA Okehampton Bracken Tor from 10am-4pm.
This year’s themes are Dartmoor for everyone, and Climate Change and the Dartmoor landscape. The event will bring those who work with children on Dartmoor together to share ideas and experiences, network and learn.
There is a nominal charge of £10. Further details are on the online booking form or can be obtained from: Melanie Hooper, Education Support Officer. Dartmoor National Park Authority, Parke, Bovey Tracey, Newton Abbot, Devon. TQ13 9JQ.
Dartmoor National Park Authority has a range of resources and ideas including lesson plans and factsheets related to Dartmoor on their website at Teachers and educators | Dartmoor
Bristol Natural History Consortium Festival of Nature: The 2022 BHNC Festival of Nature is being held from 10-18 June around the city of Bristol with over 80 events taking place including walks, talks, family activities and workshops. Festival of Nature | The Natural History Consortium | 5th-12th June 2021 (bnhc.org.uk) The programe includes several workshops and talks on themes of interest to primary and secondary geography teachers. Many events are free.
Geography Resources:
Rayburn Tours has announced the launch of its new and improved publication and online Explore Geography Hub. https://www.rayburntours.com/explore-hub/geography Featuring the top geography destinations, the Explore Hub offers useful articles, free geography teaching resources and the first entry in the ‘Iceland Series’ with Natural Hazards. The Explore Hub is perfect for geography educators, teachers, and heads of departments looking for inspiration, resources, useful articles and expert information and support on making their next geography trip a success. For more details and resources visit the link below:
https://www.rayburntours.com/swg
Based on the success of their 2021 webinars launch, Rayburn Tours will now be bringing a series of FREE webinars to schools and groups in 2022. The webinars will involve some of the best guest speakers in the industry, sharing their ideas and knowledge to enhance teaching and study visits. For more information and to sign up: https://www.rayburntours.com/webinars/
The Royal Geographical Society (RGS) Subject Knowledge Programme first three units are now live in their website: Royal Geographical Society - Geography resources for teachers (rgs.org)
The published units are on Global Systems, Global Governance, Changing Places (Urban and Rural) and Water and Carbon. Several more units will be available soon.
These online resources have been developed by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), with support from the DfE. They are specially aimed at trainee/early career geography teachers. The resources support geographers’ subject knowledge through access to a series of themed subject knowledge modules that support the current curriculum and exam specifications in geography. They are Open access and free to use on this link www.rgs.org/skp
The Royal Meteorological Society’s scheme of work for 11-14 geography Weather and Climate Teachers' Guide/ was awarded a 'Highly Commended' by the Geographical Association at their conference in April and contains a wealth of ideas and resources.
The Association for Science Education (ASE) has a free website to enrich teaching and learning in science. https://www.schoolscience.co.uk/home
Useful geography resources including KS3 resources can be found at https://www.schoolscience.co.uk/ages-11-to-14
The Disaster Zone (https://www.schoolscience.co.uk/disasterzone) has some very useful resources on volcanoes and earthquakes. Ideas for teaching about energy resources can be found at OurFuture.Energy - SchoolScience.co.uk
River data, maps and graphs for A level: GOV.UK publishes a selection of reports and information sheets on River maintenance, flooding and coastal erosion. The monthly situation water report for March 2022 provides a range of useful data for A level teaching and enquiry on rainfall amounts, river flow, soil moisture deficit and groundwater levels and comparative data for earlier months. Water Situation Report (publishing.service.gov.uk)
OPAL air survey resources: Geography Southwest has recently added a Fieldwork articles item on air surveys to look at air pollution. The resources and the survey ideas are particularly suited to A level students and include the use of lichens and vegetation indicators. Read the article here: https://www.geographysouthwest.co.uk/fieldwork/fieldwork-articles/opal-air-survey-resources/
The Flood Hub: The Flood Hub has been designed to be a one stop shop for flood information and resources to support householders, businesses and communities across the North West in becoming more flood resilient. We have pulled together multiple sources of guidance to produce a hub of information that gives an overview of flood resilience and it’s many related topics. By signposting a variety of other useful sources, you will easily be able to find all the information you need either within our content or by visiting one of the linked websites.
This website has been funded by the North West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee and is a joint initiative developed by the Environment Agency, United Utilities, Newground, and the Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire Strategic Flood Partnerships.
Geography News:
New St Sidwell’s Point Leisure Centre opens in Exeter
Exeter’s new £ 44 million leisure centre at St Sidwell’s Point opened on Friday 29 April. It is part of the urban redevelopment of the Exeter Bus and Coach station site and adjoins the new bus station. The new state of the art development is the UK’s first Passivhaus Leisure Centre designed to use 70% less energy than a conventional building and pool.
The project, which began in 2019, has been funded by Exeter City Council and constructed by Kier. It is designed to replace the old Pyramids Leisure Centre in nearby Heavitree Road.
The Leisure Centre has three swimming pools, including an eight lane 25-metre pool and a four lane 20-metre learner pool overlooked by a spectator area. The pools and changing rooms are fully accessible including wheelchair lifts.
There is also a rooftop spa including a sauna and a rooftop terrace, a large gym with over 100 stations plus fitness studios. A programme of instructor-led classes will be on offer. The new leisure centre also includes a Creche.
You can read more on Devon Live’s website, which includes a time-lapse video on the redevelopment of the bus station site.
Exeter's verdict on St Sidwell’s Point - city's £44m passivhaus leisure centre - Devon Live