Year 12 Biology Students Explore Ecology on Residential Field Course in Devon
In early June, almost 100 Year 12 AS Biology students took part in an exciting residential field course at the beautiful Slapton Ley Field Centre in Devon. The trip provided a valuable opportunity for students to apply the ecological concepts they have been studying in the classroom to real-world environments, while developing their practical fieldwork skills.
Throughout the course, students explored a variety of habitats and carried out a range of ecological sampling techniques. In the woodland stream, they gained hands-on experience of kick sampling, collecting and identifying aquatic invertebrates to assess water quality and biodiversity. At Slapton Ley, the largest natural freshwater lake in south-west England, students undertook pond dipping activities, investigating the rich variety of species that inhabit this unique ecosystem. They also visited the nearby beach, where they carried out belt transect sampling to study patterns of distribution and abundance across different coastal zones.
The weather certainly kept everyone on their toes, with conditions changing throughout the trip. However, our students embraced every challenge with enthusiasm, resilience and a positive attitude. Whether working in the water, collecting data on the shoreline or analysing their findings, they demonstrated excellent teamwork, curiosity and determination.
Fieldwork is an important part of studying Biology, enabling students to develop essential scientific skills such as observation, data collection, analysis and evaluation. Experiences like this help bring classroom learning to life and deepen students’ understanding of ecology and environmental science.
We are incredibly proud of our Year 12 students for the way they approached the course and made the most of every opportunity. As well as gaining valuable academic experience, they created lasting memories with friends and staff, making the trip a highlight of the year.
It was a fantastic few days of learning, discovery and adventure, and an excellent example of how education extends far beyond the classroom at Cardiff Sixth Form College.
