Making a start on the PSA coursework at 9:15 in the morning was challenging but highly worthwhile, as it allowed us to put to use all we had learnt throughout the week and apply it to our final A2 grade. After the excitement of early morning A level assessment, we could celebrate further with a little trip to Britain's best beach (2004), Barrafundle. Barrafundle was a barral of fun-(dle). We indulged in the construction of sand cars and exploring the environment of caves, rock pools and hidden cliff areas. We discovered bats, anemone, shrimps and many more dudes. It was a land of geographical and biological wonder with some history thrown in there to spice it up. It was lots of funfun freedom and was an excellent way to celebrate the end of a test. Hurrah for bio! We will miss Steve (Tim); he's a fab guy. We have especially enjoyed the discovery of the Australian Pelvitia canaliculata.
chuuunnneeee:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZT4owFcD4M
Thursday 5 November 2009
Wednesday 4 November 2009
Wednesday afternoon - Amourous
Wed afternoon – by Katie (with scientific editing in brackets by Miss Millins)
This afternoon we visited a stream around the Orielton estate; we carried out an experiment at two sites on the stream to see the differing bugs (invertebrates) we could find. It was fun! J
We were searching for and observing freshwater invertebrates. Upon reflection, we’re unsure which were unluckier…the sheer number of disgusting (fascinating) creep-crawlies (including leeches!), that we found on the first site; or the shamefully small number of organisms that we found at the second site. Some lucky groups did find fish (but not us…oh dear!).
(Mr Lavin’s favourite finds were amourous Gammarus!)
This afternoon we visited a stream around the Orielton estate; we carried out an experiment at two sites on the stream to see the differing bugs (invertebrates) we could find. It was fun! J
We were searching for and observing freshwater invertebrates. Upon reflection, we’re unsure which were unluckier…the sheer number of disgusting (fascinating) creep-crawlies (including leeches!), that we found on the first site; or the shamefully small number of organisms that we found at the second site. Some lucky groups did find fish (but not us…oh dear!).
(Mr Lavin’s favourite finds were amourous Gammarus!)
Wednesday - Woodland Fun!
Wednesday Morning – by Dom
Today we awoke promptly at 7:30am as the sun gently illuminated our content faces, prying our eyes open with rays of Welsh cheer. After morning pleasantries, we descended the grand stairs for breakfast; a healthy yet hearty affair.
Our education began at 9 an consisted first of a woodland masterclass…you know, I now feel like I could live as a lumberjack…my confidence was increased by our guided tour of the woodland surroundings of Orielton.
After our stroll and an investigation into Ivy, we broke for lunch, sestet to reconvene at a later time.
Kathryn, Jordain and Katie will keep you all posted for the twists and turns of this afternoon…
Today we awoke promptly at 7:30am as the sun gently illuminated our content faces, prying our eyes open with rays of Welsh cheer. After morning pleasantries, we descended the grand stairs for breakfast; a healthy yet hearty affair.
Our education began at 9 an consisted first of a woodland masterclass…you know, I now feel like I could live as a lumberjack…my confidence was increased by our guided tour of the woodland surroundings of Orielton.
After our stroll and an investigation into Ivy, we broke for lunch, sestet to reconvene at a later time.
Kathryn, Jordain and Katie will keep you all posted for the twists and turns of this afternoon…
Tuesday 3 November 2009
Tuesday 3/11/09
Tuesday's Photos - A sunny (but very windy) sand dune succession study!
Tuesday – by (mainly) Jack and Kalyan (but not really by Kalyan) - Today was to be based primarily around succession. Having been assured by Tim that one of the most prominent examples of this was a sand dune, we set off for Freshwater West. We were greeted by seemingly gale-force winds, but fortunately also a fair bit of sun. Using a point quadrat, we accurately compared the vegetation of the embryo-, fore-, semi-fixed- and fixed dunes. AS the day went on, the weather stayed fair and spirits were high as we came to our final activity; measuring how the height of salad burnett (which smells of cucumber when you crush the leaves) differed on trampled (on the path) and untrampled ground. The mini-experiment was, we were told, something done by the National Trust to provide evidence against human trespassing on the dunes…we found it to be both interesting and enjoyable. When back at the manor (and rejuvenated by banana cake), we carried out a student t-test on our results (involving calculating the standard deviation of our results) to see if our results were statistically significant. Dinner was a mouth-watering sausage casserole with chips followed by strawberry cheesecake and we slept soundly after a day of fresh air and bracing sea-winds!
Tuesday – by (mainly) Jack and Kalyan (but not really by Kalyan) - Today was to be based primarily around succession. Having been assured by Tim that one of the most prominent examples of this was a sand dune, we set off for Freshwater West. We were greeted by seemingly gale-force winds, but fortunately also a fair bit of sun. Using a point quadrat, we accurately compared the vegetation of the embryo-, fore-, semi-fixed- and fixed dunes. AS the day went on, the weather stayed fair and spirits were high as we came to our final activity; measuring how the height of salad burnett (which smells of cucumber when you crush the leaves) differed on trampled (on the path) and untrampled ground. The mini-experiment was, we were told, something done by the National Trust to provide evidence against human trespassing on the dunes…we found it to be both interesting and enjoyable. When back at the manor (and rejuvenated by banana cake), we carried out a student t-test on our results (involving calculating the standard deviation of our results) to see if our results were statistically significant. Dinner was a mouth-watering sausage casserole with chips followed by strawberry cheesecake and we slept soundly after a day of fresh air and bracing sea-winds!
Sunday – by Mark, Lillie and Patrick
When we arrived at Orielton, we got a grand tour of the manor and its estate. Although the weather was not to be desired, the staff were welcoming and the food bountiful!
After a hearty meal, we were given an introduction to the events to come, which excited us all!
We all snuggled up to watch X-factor and with a mug of hot cocoa we settled down for the night in our dorms.
Monday – by Daniel
After an early start, we began the day with an introduction to the sort of biological terms we would be using; how to identify key organisms on the rock shore and sampling methods.
Once at Sawdern Point, we began to get to grips with the terrain and the slippery seaweed under foot, and quickly got to work identifying the organisms (both flora and fauna) at different point on the rocky shore.
Upon our return to the centre, and after well-deserved break (with carrot cake!), we took the results we’d gathered and turned them into graphs and tables (doing a Chi-squared statistical test to evaluate the zonations of Topshells on the rocky shore as well as Kite Histograms to graphically display the distribution and abundance of different species on the rocky shore.
Organisms sampled today:
Cnidaria - Anemones
When we arrived at Orielton, we got a grand tour of the manor and its estate. Although the weather was not to be desired, the staff were welcoming and the food bountiful!
After a hearty meal, we were given an introduction to the events to come, which excited us all!
We all snuggled up to watch X-factor and with a mug of hot cocoa we settled down for the night in our dorms.
Monday – by Daniel
After an early start, we began the day with an introduction to the sort of biological terms we would be using; how to identify key organisms on the rock shore and sampling methods.
Once at Sawdern Point, we began to get to grips with the terrain and the slippery seaweed under foot, and quickly got to work identifying the organisms (both flora and fauna) at different point on the rocky shore.
Upon our return to the centre, and after well-deserved break (with carrot cake!), we took the results we’d gathered and turned them into graphs and tables (doing a Chi-squared statistical test to evaluate the zonations of Topshells on the rocky shore as well as Kite Histograms to graphically display the distribution and abundance of different species on the rocky shore.
Organisms sampled today:
Cnidaria - Anemones
Echinoderm - Starfish
Arthropods - Crabs
Algae - Seaweeds
A variety of molluscs including:
□ Limpets
□ Mussels
□ Periwinkles
□ Topshells
□ Whelks
Algae - Seaweeds
A variety of molluscs including:
□ Limpets
□ Mussels
□ Periwinkles
□ Topshells
□ Whelks
Monday 2 November 2009
Wet and Wild in Orielton!
A flooded corner of Wales has been invaded this week by 27 budding ecologists from Beaumont School.
The A Level and IB students, accompanied by Mr Lavin (Head of Key Stage 3 Science), Miss Millins (Lead Teacher in Science) and Miss Dolling (Chemistry Technician) are currently spending the week at the Orielton Field Studies Council Centre, studying different ecological techniques and completing the assessed aspects of both courses.
Each day, the students will report on their progress; the highs and the lows (and, of course, how cold and wet we're getting).
Watch this space...
Check out the Field Studies Centre we're staying in (they make the BEST cakes!)
http://www.field-studies-council.org/orielton/
The A Level and IB students, accompanied by Mr Lavin (Head of Key Stage 3 Science), Miss Millins (Lead Teacher in Science) and Miss Dolling (Chemistry Technician) are currently spending the week at the Orielton Field Studies Council Centre, studying different ecological techniques and completing the assessed aspects of both courses.
Each day, the students will report on their progress; the highs and the lows (and, of course, how cold and wet we're getting).
Watch this space...
Check out the Field Studies Centre we're staying in (they make the BEST cakes!)
http://www.field-studies-council.org/orielton/
Wednesday 6 May 2009
Swine Flu Pandemic
An understanding of pandemics and how they are managed is part of the new AS syllabus. The Sky News website has lots of useful information about the current swine flu pandemic. Click here to go to the website. If you scroll down through the information you can find out more about the virus, how it is transmitted, the definition of a pandemic, advice on what to do if you suspect you may have Swine Flu. They are using antiviral drugs to treat this flu. Click here to find out how these are different to antibiotics.
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