Nettlecombe Court £252 Per Student

FIELD STUDIES COUNCIL A-Level Biology Programme - Nettlecombe Court £252 per student

SMALL GROUPS BIOLOGY PROGRAMME 20th – 23rd November 2018 (week 47) TUTOR: TBC Provisional programme as subject to tide times

Day 1: Day 2: Day 3: Day 4: Tues 20th Weds 21st Thurs 22nd Fri 23rd Arrive: 12.30 Location: Location: Location: Location: Depart: 13.00 (Lunch not NC estate Embercombe Porlock Bay NC estate (Lunch provided) provided) (Low tide: 15.03, 2.20m ) Transport: Transport: Transport: Transport: Transport: Transport: Own coach None req. TBC TBC None req. Own coach

Day AM PM EVE Students will be greeted IMMERSIVE BIODIVERSITY (Grassland) DATA ANALYSIS 1 by their tutor, with a Calculation of Simpson’s Diversity welcome talk followed by Students will explore the varied terrestrial and index/ statistical analysis. a brief tour of the Centre. aquatic habitats of the Nettlecombe Estate, in Discussion of findings, draw Allocation of wellies and the form of an ecological orienteering course. conclusions and evaluate findings. waterproofs. They will also be introduced to sampling in terrestrial environments by conducting a grassland study.

Investigation into the ground cover of plants in mown and grazed areas

Field site(s): Nettlecombe Estate (no transport req.)

2 DIVERSITY AND ADAPTATION (Freshwater – Embercombe) ADVANCED FIELD SURVEYING Small mammal trapping, moth Introduction to freshwater ecology, invertebrate sampling and adaptations of trapping/ bat detecting freshwater invertebrates.

Investigation into the difference in species in different freshwater microhabitats Data collected to include abundance of species and abiotic factors.

Time dependent: Animal behavior practical

Field site(s): Embercombe, Exmoor NP (40 min drive)

3 First activity of the day: Open mammal traps and check moth trap MINI INVESTIGATIONS (RESEARCH AND PLANNING) ECOSYSTEMS AND SAMPLING (Rocky shore) Students have the opportunity to plan their own mini ecological Introduction to marine ecosystems. In-depth ecological study using a range investigation in small groups to be of fieldwork equipment to investigate how the abundance and distribution of conducted the following morning organisms are controlled by biotic and abiotic factors. in the grounds of Nettlecombe

Court. 1. Investigation into gastropod habitat preference on a rocky shore

2. Investigation into topshell age, length and growth rates on a rocky shore Small group investigations allow

use of field sampling techniques,

mathematical and analytical skills

FSC Nettlecombe Court, The Leonard Wills Field Centre, Williton, Taunton, Somerset, TA4 4HT Tel: 01984 640320 Website: www.field-studies-council.org/centres/nettlecombecourt.aspx Email: [email protected] FIELD STUDIES COUNCIL A-Level Biology Programme - Nettlecombe Court £252 per student

Data analysis Graphs, arithmetic means, standard deviation and t-test. learnt earlier in the course to Discussion of findings, draw conclusions and evaluate findings. answer an ecological question.

Field site(s): Porlock Bay (40 min drive)

MINI INVESTIGATIONS (FIELDWORK) Course ends at 1230 4 Small group investigations (planned previous evening) to allow use of field sampling techniques, mathematical and analytical skills learnt earlier in the course to answer an ecological question. The investigations can take place in local woodland, grassland and freshwater habitats.

Field site(s): Nettlecombe Estate (no transport req.)

Specification links, Required Practicals, Assessment Skills & Mathematics

Links to:

Topic 4: Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms

Topic 5: Energy transfers in and between organisms

Topic 6: Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments

Topic 7: Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems

Apparatus & Technique Skills:

ATa: Use appropriate apparatus to record a range of quantitative measurements

ATg: To separate biological compounds using paper chromatography

ATh: Safely and ethically use organisms to measure plant or animal responses

ATk: Use sampling techniques in fieldwork

ATl: Use ICT such as computer modeling, or data logger to collect data, or use software to process data

Maths Skills: M0.4 Estimate results

M1.1 Use an appropriate number of significant figures

M1.2 Find arithmetic means

M1.3: Construct and interpret frequency tables and diagrams and bar charts

M1.4: Understand simple probability

M1.5 Understand the principles of sampling as applied to scientific data

M1.6: Understand the terms mean, median and mode

M1.7: Use a scatter diagram to identify a correlation between two variables

M1.9: Select and use a statistical test

M1.10 Understand measures of dispersion (standard deviation)

M1.11 Identify uncertainties in measurements

MS2.3: Substitute numerical values into algebraic equations using appropriate units for physical quantities

MS3.2: Plot two variables from experimental or other data

What is included in the fee?  Up to 10 hours of tuition a day  Expert tuition, from fully trained staff  Full board accommodation. Catering includes cooked breakfast, packed lunch, homemade cakes and evening meal  Use of facilities including workrooms, recreational space, ICT and centre grounds  Waterproofs and welly hire  Established health and safety procedures and 24 hour emergency cover  Access to specialist equipment and resources  Support before and following the course 

Tuition is delivered by talented teachers, with not only an expert knowledge of their subject and field work locations, but a passion for the subject being taught. Our education team are fully DBS checked, and undergo a regular and rigorous training process. All tutors have received training in first aid, risk assessment and water safety.

Course options listed in this booklet can be selected to put together a programme designed to meet the requirements of your specification. However, if you need something that is not catered for in the field work investigations, please contact us to discuss possible alternatives.

External Recognition of Quality

Nettlecombe Court has been awarded the Quality Badge by The Council for Learning Outside the Classroom. The badge is awarded to organisations that have demonstrated that they consistently deliver high quality teaching and learning experiences and manage risk effectively.

This means that you will have to complete less paperwork when visiting our centre



Email us at: [email protected]