On-site filedwork part 2

These 3 items were used in a bit of on-site fieldwork. We are lucky to have access to the main building roof which is a good 30m above the ground. Thermometers were left at strategic points.

Before venturing on to the rood the pupils undertook their own risk assessment. Classes wee asked to identify risks and then develop a rule to reduce the risk. This is far better than talking through a list of rules and developed pupils understanding of risk management. For example - Risk: we could fall off, Rule: don't climb on the wall surrounding the roof.

The risk assessment was reinforced with a virtual tour in Google Earth.

Pupils were then given a statement 'Priory School has no effect on its micoclimate.' The slate was used to record the temperature at each sample point - nice a quick for a demonstration. The enquiry process was concluded back in the classroom.

Each class now has to upscale the enquiry to incude the whole school site. However, they are not allowed to use any scientific equipment. Instead each team will have to design a creative solution using the human senses. This ties in nicley with the PLTs agenda as well as providing more of a challenge.

One issue that always comes up with fieldwork is 'faff time'. This is where pupils want to explore and get to grips with their new surroundings. On the roof, this means that they want to find their house, look through the windoow etc. I encourage this tye of exploration but set clear boundries, especially where the pupils can wander to.

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David Rogers

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