EDEXCEL A: A-Level Biology Course Options For teaching from September 2015

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1 EDEXCEL A: A-Level Biology Course Options For teaching from September 2015 Flatford Mill, located in the heart of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, was made famous by the artwork of John Constable. The Centre has a rich mosaic of lowland landscapes giving rise to a diverse range of habitats, including unspoiled wetlands, stunning deciduous woodlands, lentic & lotic freshwater environments on the Centre grounds and salt marsh, coppiced and coniferous woodlands just a stone s throw away. Only an hour from London and with excellent road and rail access, the beautiful, historically important Grade I listed 18 th century water mill is at the end of a lane which has no through traffic. It offers visitors of all ages a much sought-after sense of tranquility to complement a unique outdoor learning environment in combination with workrooms with modern equipment and technology opportunities. Our new courses are designed to fit the criteria of the specifications for first teaching in As such they are designed to: Incorporate a number of core practicals, apparatus and technique skills, and mathematics that students must complete before taking exams. These also go towards the practical endorsement students must complete. The A Level will examine practical skills and can appear in all three final papers Cover a wide range of topics from the specification and in particular topics 4 and 5 of the Edexcel A specification Can also link to the extended essay project easily which can prepare students for university. Help to deliver a rich practical experience to deepen ecological and synoptic learning

2 EDEXCEL A: Wild Biodiversity, Maths and Practicals 5 day (FM 001) The order / timings of sessions may be tide and weather dependent Day AM PM EVE 1 Arrive 1200hrs Settle in to rooms Welcome to Flatford, hire waterproofs etc. Classification, Niches and Adaptations In this introductory session students will investigate a freshwater environment to study the range of species and their adaptations to different niches. Students will consider what biodiversity is and how we have organised life into classification systems. Various identification keys will be used, to assist students to collect enough data to process with a statistical test 2 Habitat Biodiversity Comparison (Rocky Shore, Harwich 50minute travel time) Classification of species invertebrate/evidence hunt Students collect examples or photos of species or their tracks and signs during initial search of habitat and begin to classify using the Linnean system of classification, separating out into Kingdom and Phyla and then to as precise a level of classification as possible using visual techniques. Discussion about history of classification and modern techniques of identification and classifying. Introduction to Ecology and the course: - Sustainability at Flatford Mill - Why are you here, what is the FSC? What are our objectives as a charity? -Leading on from the afternoons activities students will look at an introduction to the study of ecology -ecology definitions and importance - setting personal learning objectives Core Practical 1: Investigate the effect of caffeine on the heart rate in Daphnia. Using a low powered microscope, students will monitor and count the heart beat under different conditions e.g. water temperature. Distribution and abundance Chi 2 statistical test Students will have an opportunity to apply their knowledge of sampling to a new investigation. They plan a method to collect data to study phenotypic variation in a chi 2 test for association. At the end of the session students will feel confident in choosing and using chi 2. Students will visit a couple of different habitats to compare how biodiversity changes between locations. They will be introduced to sampling techniques and a range of fieldwork equipment. They will compare species richness and use an index of diversity to make comparisons. Opportunities will be available to discuss how human activity is threatening species and conservation methods used within the habitats. 3 Habitat Ecology: Grove Woods (on site) Investigation into the ground cover plants in woodlands using random sampling with quadrats Data collected to include % cover, frequency and evidence of phenotypic plasticity in chosen species e.g. surface area or thickness etc. Students calculate appropriate averages and sketch bar charts in the field. Data analysis: Using student s data with t-test (standard deviation and appropriate graphical representation) 4 Succession- Here today, Here forever? Holbrook salt marsh (15mins travel time) Students will be introduced to the full investigative process, from design through to analysis. Core practical 10 investigation to determine the distribution and abundance of species. Core Practical 10 Planning Students will work individually on an investigation which interests them, focusing on succession. They will plan the investigation, selecting the most appropriate equipment and methods, and identifying the variables to be controlled and how to achieve this. They will consider safety issues, identifying hazards and assessing the risks of working in the selected habitat. FSC staff will assist teachers in the Common Practical Assessment Criteria (CPAC) assessment of their students. AT 7: separate biological compounds using thin layer/paper chromatography Students will use paper chromatography to investigate the pigments found in different seaweeds and plants from the Salt marsh

3 Investigation into the effect of succession on salt marsh vegetation. Data collection of data to gain evidence of succession theory including identification and adaptations of key species, niches and abiotic data. Fieldwork using transects and quadrats from lower marsh to climax community. Data Analysis: Manipulate data using species diversity and Spearman s Rank Data interpretation and conclusions Snail Habituation - Core Practical 18 Students will collect a selection of snails and investigate their habituation to a particular stimulus. A discussion of the moral and ethical issues relating to the use of animals in research will provide a frame for this practical. Students will consider the impacts of deflected succession and management on a climax community using case studies. 5 Green energy Photosynthesis Course ends at 1200 makes the world go round Topics total energy fixed in an ecosystem. Transfer of biomass and energy Students will make light and dark algal bottles and calculate rate of photosynthesis and productivity. Fieldwork sampling of organisms in Gibbonsgate Lake / Millstream Specification links, Core Practicals, Assessment Skills & Mathematics Links to: Topic 4 (4.1, 4.2, 4.5): Biodiversity and Natural Resources (FM 001, 002) Topic 5 (5.1, 5.2, 5. 3, 5.4, 5.10, 5.11): On the Wild Side (FM 001, 002) Apparatus & Technique Skills: AT1: Use appropriate apparatus to record a range of quantitative measurements (FM 001, 002) AT7: Separate biological compounds using thin layer/paper chromatography (FM 001, 002) AT8: Safely and ethically use organisms to measure plant or animal responses (FM 001, 002) AT11: Use sampling techniques in fieldwork (FM 001, 002) AT12: Use ICT such as computer modelling, or data logger to collect data, or use software to process data (FM 001) Maths Skills: M0.4: Estimate results (FM 001, 002) M1.1: Use an appropriate number of significant figures (FM 001, 002) M1.2: Find arithmetic means (FM 001, 002) M1.3: Construct and interpret frequency tables and diagrams and bar charts (FM 001) M1.4: Understand simple probability (FM 001, 002) M1.5: Understand the principles of sampling as applied to scientific data (FM 001, 002) M1.6: Understand the terms mean, median and mode (FM 001) M1.7: Use a scatter diagram to identify a correlation between two variables (FM 001, 002) M1.9: Select and use a statistical test (FM 001, 002) M1.10: Understand measures of dispersion (standard deviation) (FM 001, 002) M1.11: Identify uncertainties in measurements (FM 001, 002) MS2.3: Substitute numerical values into algebraic equations using appropriate units for physical quantities (FM 001, 002) MS3.2: Plot two variables from experimental or other data (FM 001, 002)

4 EDEXCEL A Wild Ecology and Practicals 3 day (FM 002) Day AM PM EVE 1 Arrive 1200 Settle in to rooms Welcome to Flatford, hire waterproofs etc. Distribution and Abundance Introductory session starting with a review of photosynthetic process and a visit to a local habitat to look at concepts of populations, community and ecosystems. A range of sampling techniques and methods will be introduced and data is collected to be analysed in a chi 2 test or Student s T-test. Core Practical 10 (planning): Students plan a mini investigation on Ecology of habitat, determining the distribution and abundance of organisms Introduction to succession 2 Succession- Here today, Here forever? Core practical 10 Holbrook salt marsh (15mins travel time) Students will be introduced to the full investigative process, from design through to analysis. Investigation into the effect of succession on salt marsh vegetation. Data collection of data to gain evidence of succession theory including identification and adaptations of key species, niches and abiotic data. Students carry out their own planned investigation to determine the distribution and abundance of species. Data Analysis: Manipulate data using species diversity and Spearman s Rank Data interpretation and conclusions 3 Green energy Photosynthesis makes the world go round Topics total energy fixed in an ecosystem. Transfer of biomass and energy Students will make light and dark algal bottles and calculate rate of photosynthesis and productivity. Fieldwork sampling of organisms in Gibbonsgate Lake / Millstream Course ends at 1200hrs AT 7: separate biological compounds using thin layer/paper chromatography Students will use paper chromatography to investigate the pigments found in different seaweeds and plants from the Salt marsh Snail Habituation - Core Practical 18 Students will collect a selection of snails and investigate their habituation to a particular stimulus. A discussion of the moral and ethical issues relating to the use of animals in research will provide a frame for this practical. Please note for all succession days listed, Holbrook salt marsh is given as the site. In extremely bad tidal conditions, this session will be taught at Shingle Street, a shingle ridge approximately 60 minutes drive from the centre. "Fieldwork is an essential part of biology and is a compulsory activity as part of the practical skills for Biology. It can also provide opportunities to address the new mathematical requirements and, of course, fieldwork has the power to engage students in a way that complements what they learn in the classroom!" Edexcel Biology examiner

5 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 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 tutors, 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 all 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 Flatford Mill 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 To make a booking or if you have an enquiry: Call us on us at: enquiries.fm@field-studies-council.org