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Greenshaw High School

Wet and wild in wales

Year 12 geography students embarked on their field work trip to the Brecon Beacons in Wales

The students carried out extensive investigations into the changing characteristics of a river as it travels downstream in the Breacon Beacons.

After a short drive to the study sites, students completed the two mile mountainside walk across rocky terrain and arrived at the first site in good spirits. Students were required to take various measurements of width, depth and velocity at each of five points along the river’s course – in some cases this involved donning the shoulder height waders and getting a bit wet.
After a long, beautiful walk through the upper course valley in the Black Mountains, the students were able to sit at the side of the river and eat a well-deserved packed lunch. At the final study site, students certainly needed their waders as the depth increased and carefully took their measurements. However, due to the river flow in some places, this required help and support from fellow students as the current was so strong.

After a quiet drive back in the minibuses, students changed out of wet clothes, ate their dinner, had showers and prepared for the evening’s session of work. This involved organisation of all the data collected to see how the river had changed downstream over the five sites of study and required statistical analysis to be carried out.

Overall, the students worked excellently together and should be proud of what they achieved. Mr McMillan explained: “Field work is an essential component of geography. The opportunity for students to experience geographical skills in the field is always rewarding.”