Environmental Studies Academy (School Outreach Event)
Thursday 7th July 2016.
By Cara Healy ES Academy Manager, School of Earth & Environment (SEE), University of Leeds.
Summary:
Students from various local schools and colleges (e.g. Heckmondwike Grammar School, Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College, Aquinas College, Guiseley School, Thornleigh Salesian College…) were invited and voluntarily participated in fieldwork and laboratory experiments hosted by the school of earth & Environment. This was a unique opportunity for students to learn about specific areas of environmental science while having a glimpse of University life.
The day was focused on the AS level environmental studies curriculum and the students that attended came from various scientific study backgrounds including geography and biology.
In the morning; students collected their own water/ sediment samples at Tributary at of Ringshaw Beck Drighlington, with Dr Colin Pitts, Victoria Betts, Cara Healy and Dr Steven Dobbie.
Pictures: Students collecting water/sediment samples Tributary at of Ringshaw Beck Drighlington 7/07/2016
In the afternoon; students then investigated live water/sediment samples by analysing invertebrates using scientific equipment with SEE demonstrators Jane-Marie Stocks, Dr Colin Pitts, Victoria Betts and Angus Wilsdon in the SEE Level 7 Teaching Laboratories.
Dr Wolfgang Buermann also provided a talk highlighting Environmental Science course opportunities here in SEE.
We received lots of positive feedback and all of students said they valued such a unique opportunity. One of the students said that they ‘enjoyed the Fieldwork and talking to ES Academy ambassadors about possible pathways to study Environmental Science’.
Thank you to everyone who was involved in running and making the ES Academy a success, in particular to student ambassadors Beth Watson and Joseph Heathcoat who did an exceptional job at helping out on the day and making the experience enjoyable and comfortable experience for the school students
Pictures: Students investigating invertebrates in SEE Level 7 teaching labs 7/7/2016
The ES Academy strives and continues to build good links and relationships with Schools by making the teachers/ students aware of the rich undergraduate programmes we have here at Leeds.
We plan to branch out in other areas/topics of study provided by SEE. We will be holding future ES Academy dates January & July 2017. Full details will be released over summer 2016 on the ES Academy webpage: http://www.see.leeds.ac.uk/envstudiesacademy/
As the organiser, I found the day to be really inspirational and I am extremely grateful to be involved in planning, coordinating and attending such an important and exhilarating event for SEE and external schools.
If you are a student or teacher with pupils interested in attending an upcoming Academy then please contact us via the link provided above.
Warm regards,
Cara Healy (ES Academy Manager)