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Geography is brought to life on amazing Africa visit
LUCKY school pupils went on a sizzling field trip to an African desert to learn more about extreme environment and climate.
The group of 21 GCSE students embarked on a 10-day field trip to the Namib Desert in south west Africa.
The geography trip was organised to help the children learn about the extreme environment and climate.
During their visit, the group visited Etosha National Park, home to the Namib Desert and the endangered black rhinoceros.
The desert is thought to be the Earth's oldest and is known for its red-rust sand dunes which can reach up to 1,000ft in height.
The group, all from Bedales School in Petersfield, also found out that they have no shadow when they stand on the Tropic of Capricorn – the most southerly point where the sun can be seen directly overhead.
The school's head of geography, Colin Prowse, said: 'One of the main points of the trip was to show the students how geography shapes the lives of local people and wildlife.
'The Namib Desert is the
perfect example. No more proof is needed of how exciting and relevant geography is in the 21st century. It really is a fascinating landscape. While we were there, students learnt about plant and animal adaptations, hot desert climate, the action of wadis and dune formation.'
Pupils were really positive about the trip.
Freddie Stewart, 15, said: 'It was a fantastic experience.
'It was so much more than a school trip. I was amazed that we could get so close to the wildlife and meet the local people.'
Lucie Healy, 15, said: 'We knew it was one of those once in a life-time opportunities.'
Since their return, pupils have started to write up their findings for their GCSE coursework.
Mr Prowse added: 'The students were extremely animated by their trip to Namibia. Since their return they have been writing up their GCSE coursework with much enthusiasm.
'They clearly learnt a great deal, not just about the subject of geography, but from the whole experience.'
The trip also responded to the call from Ofsted's chief inspector, Christine Gilbert, that more needs to be done to make geography relevant and more engaging for pupils.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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