S5 had a fantastic time on their Biology and Geography field trip to Cranedale Field Study Centre in Yorkshire last week. They were fortunate with the weather, which allowed them to fully engage in various activities.
The trip included a comparative river study where students sampled invertebrate life and tested abiotic factors of a stream. They learned about using invertebrates as bioindicators of pollution levels. Students improved their biological drawings of a mayfly nymph through microscope observation and conducted quadrat sampling on a rocky shore to study food chain energetics. This activity was a favorite, with students discovering crabs and even a small lobster. They summed mass data for each trophic level and compared it to previous averages.
Evening activities included setting humane small-mammal traps and viewing moths released from Skinner and Heath traps. On the final day, students explored two neighboring forests, conducting soil chemistry and environmental surveys, as well as random sampling of flora and fauna to assess biodiversity, utility, and economics in ancient woodland and plantation forests.
Despite the long days, students had time to relax and socialize, playing table-football, pool, cards, and tennis, and enjoying on-demand hot chocolate. Meals were a highlight, with hot breakfasts, bespoke packed lunches, and three-course dinners. Staff were pleased to receive compliments on the students’ manners and engagement from both kitchen staff and activity leaders. Well done, S5!