RGS-IBG Fieldwork Masterclasses

The annual RGS Learning and Leading opportunity for teachers is now being advertised, and teachers who qualify would be advised to take a look.
A colleague of mine went on one of these weekends a few years ago and found it a very valuable experience, in providing her ideas for fieldwork and developing her skills in that area.

Learning and Leading - an opportunity...

Thanks to Charlie from the RGS for getting in touch about an opportunity for a few teachers this summer.

The Learning and Leading programme contains four programme ‘strands’: the Summer School, aimed at improving fieldwork skills for A-Level geography students; the Gap Scholar programme, which gives grants to students to enable them to have a meaningful gap year overseas; the Field Apprenticeship, which gives first year undergraduates the opportunity and resources to take part in an overseas research project with an academic from their university and the Teachers’ Masterclass, which gives training to GCSE and A-Level geography teachers to help improve their fieldwork teaching and learn new techniques for running local and affordable geography fieldtrips. 

All four strands are aimed at students from maintained schools who have experienced challenging circumstances and teachers from maintained and under-resourced or challenged schools.

It is specifically the Teachers’ Masterclass that has the opportunity that I mentioned in the title of the post. There are a few remaining places on the July course (18^th – 20^th July, in Yorkshire - at the Cranedale Centre), which the RGS are looking to fill. 

Download the FLYER from the website for more details, and Charlie's contact details HERE.

A colleague of mine who was in my department when I was HoD took part in the scheme and found it a really valuable and useful experience. She can be seen briefly in the photo stories on the site.

And who wouldn't want to spend a few days in God's own country :)

New RGS funded fieldwork opportunities for students and teachers...

Image by Alan Parkinson - Creative Commons

The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) is offering funded courses to geography teachers and AS geographers through its Learning & Leading programme:

Funded weekend fieldwork master classes for geography teachers
Funded places are offered on weekend fieldwork master-classes for 16 A level geography teachers experiencing challenges in delivering fieldwork. The next course is:

• Dates: Friday 7 (evening) to Sunday 9 May 2010
• Course Location: FSC Rhyd-y-creuau centre, Snowdonia

Course Activities: Planning A level fieldwork, using & evaluating a variety of fieldwork techniques, field visits & case studies of glaciation, a tourist honeypot & rivers, low cost & local activity ideas, sharing ideas & adapting for use in own school

Course fees, accommodation and meal costs are all covered by the project. All you need to pay for is your travel to the course.

To apply for a place: Complete & submit the application form to Landl@rgs.org by Friday 5 March 2010

Funded fieldwork summer-schools for AS/Higher geography students
16 fully funded places are offered on a fieldwork summer school for AS/Higher geography students. The course is aimed to give students who would not normally have such opportunities, a chance to experience high quality residential fieldwork.

• Dates: Monday 23 to Friday 27 August 2010
• Course Location: FSC Rhyd-y-creuau centre, Snowdonia

Course Activities: Students will investigate and build-up case-studies of glaciation, flooding and issues relating to rural settlements, use ICT and a variety of fieldwork techniques, plan and carry out independent fieldwork investigations and team building and personal development activities.

All costs of the course are covered including travel, accommodation and meals.

To apply for a place: Student completes application form and their teacher completes a nomination form. Both forms to be emailed to Landl@rgs.org by Friday 23 April 2010

Further details & application forms:
W: www.rgs.org/learning&leading
Contact Amber Sorrell, Learning & Leading Project Coordinator:
E: landl@rgs.org
T: 020 7591 3180

Free summer courses for teachers and students...

Free Fieldwork courses: Teacher Master-class & AS Student Summer School

An opportunity for students and teachers alike...

The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) is providing fully funded opportunities for AS geography students and for geography teachers through our Learning and Leading programme.

They are offering fully funded places on two separate residential courses, based at the RGS-IBG in London led by experienced staff from the Society and other professionals. Full costs will be covered including accommodation, food and travel to and from RGS-IBG:

Teacher Fieldwork Masterclass: Monday 17th - Friday 21st August 2009
Teachers will visit a wide range of sites in London which provide opportunities for teaching and learning in geography – topics include the Olympics and sustainability. The course will cover a variety of fieldwork techniques, ideas for low cost and local fieldwork and safety management and ideas for easy to use ICT and GIS. There will be opportunities to share experiences with other teachers and plan and create resources to take back to school and share with others.

AS student Fieldwork Summer School: Monday 24th - Friday 28th August 2009
Students will visit a wide range of sites in London which provide opportunities for learning in geography. They will have the opportunity to develop investigative skills and use a variety of fieldwork techniques. They will find out about further study and career options in geography. The course will provide opportunities for personal development, working with other students from around the UK, building confidence and independence.

The aim of the programme is to increase the opportunities and motivation for self development among young people through the use of fieldwork, specifically supporting those who may not have been able to undertake such activities due to challenging circumstances or a lack of opportunity and who are keen to continue their geographical studies at university. In relation to teachers this supports the development of a department’s provision in geography.

We are requesting applications for both courses by Friday 8th May 2009. Further details and application forms can be downloaded from www.rgs.org/L&L or by contacting:

Amber Sorrell
Learning and Leading Project Coordinator
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
T: 020 7591 3180
E: landl@rgs.org

Added on behalf of Amber Sorrell