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FIELD STUDIES COUNCIL

Slapton Ley Field Centre OCR A A-Level Biology Course Programme

FSC Slapton Ley, Slapton, Kingsbridge, Devon, TQ7 2QP

Tel: 01548 580466 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.field-studies-council.org/centres/slapton/slaptonley.aspx

Field Studies Council is a limited Company, registered in England and Wales No. 412621 and a Charity No. 313364. Registered Office; Preston Montford, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 1HW

OCR A A-Level Biology Exemplar Course Programme

For teaching from September 2015

Slapton Ley Field Centre is located on the Start Bay coast in South Devon and is surrounded by Slapton Ley National

Nature Reserve. The Ley is the largest natural freshwater lake in the South West and is separated from the sea by Slapton

Sands, a barrier beach. The 214 hectare reserve has been managed by FSC Slapton Ley for over 50 years as an "outdoor

laboratory" for education and conservation, and boasts a rich mosaic of habitats including ancient and coppiced

woodland, freshwater lake and stream, shingle ridge and rocky shore. The centre offers visitors of all ages the opportunity

to experience a unique outdoor learning environment in combination with specialist teaching and facilities.

Our new courses have been designed to fit the criteria of the specifications for first teaching in 2015 and offer:

Subject content contextualized through a range of special habitats. In particular the course will cover aspects of modules 1, 4 and 6 of the new OCR A specification.

Practical skills and use of apparatus and techniques embedded into ecological investigations using a range of laboratory and field equipment. The course will deliver a rich practical experience for students that covers a wide range of practical activity groups (PAGs) as recommended by OCR.

Integration of mathematical skills into investigative fieldwork and practicals.

FIELD STUDIES COUNCIL

Slapton Ley Field Centre OCR A A-Level Biology Course Programme

FSC Slapton Ley, Slapton, Kingsbridge, Devon, TQ7 2QP

Tel: 01548 580466 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.field-studies-council.org/centres/slapton/slaptonley.aspx

Field Studies Council is a limited Company, registered in England and Wales No. 412621 and a Charity No. 313364. Registered Office; Preston Montford, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 1HW

OCR A Biodiversity, Ecosystems and Practical Activities – 5 Days Day AM PM EVE

1 Arrive 1200, settle in to rooms

Welcome to Slapton Ley, hire waterproofs etc. Biodiversity and Ecosystems: Past, Present and Future During this introductory session, students will begin to explore the habitats of Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve. Students will be encouraged to observe and appreciate ecosystems at differing scales, considering what has shaped these in the past, what ecological processes are happening now and how these ecosystems might change in the future.

Introduction to Ecology Leading on from the afternoons activities, students will have an introduction to the study of ecology including: -What is ecology? (definition of key terminology) - After immersion in environment do we think ecology matters? - How do we know what good science is? How do we achieve it? - Setting personal objectives

2 Rocky Shore Ecology: Biodiversity Assessment and Sampling

PAG 3: Sampling techniques. Students will investigate a rocky shore ecosystem

using random and non-random sampling techniques: quadrat sampling in different areas and a transect up or down the shore. They will practise identifying and classifying rocky shore species and will consider variations within and between species. They will consider how those species are adapted anatomically, physiologically and behaviourally. Data analysis can include calculations of Simpson’s Index of Diversity and Students t-test. Factors affecting rocky shore biodiversity will be considered and the importance of baseline monitoring discussed.

PAG 10: Data Logging. Data loggers will be used in rock pools to monitor

environmental variables such as temperature and salinity. Whilst the conditions are being monitored changes in the responses of organisms like beadlet anemones or periwinkles will be recorded.

A woodland based day covering the same topics is available as an alternative to the rocky shore should the tides or transport costs prove prohibitive.

PAG 6: Separation of biological compounds using paper chromatography Students will use paper chromatography to show the different photosynthetic pigments found in different types of seaweed (rocky shore) or in sun and shade tolerant leaves (woodland).

3 Populations in Ecosystems: Succession on Slapton Sands Shingle Ridge Students will introduced to the theory of succession and see first-hand how succession progresses in a vegetated shingle ecosystem. Concepts of primary succession, deflected succession and recycling within ecosystems will be discussed.

Students will investigate the change in plant communities in relation to changes in environmental factors such as wind speed, soil depth, soil moisture and identify adaptations that are common to each community and allow that community to thrive. Students will use Spearman’s Rank correlation coefficient to test their data for correlations between biotic and abiotic factors on the shingle ridge.

Ecosystem Management and Conservation The ecological, economic, social, ethical and aesthetic reasons for conserving of biological resources and for maintaining biodiversity will be considered. Building on examples from Slapton Ley NNR, students will explore the conflicts between conservation and human needs.

or PAG 11: Investigation into the

measurement of plant or animal responses. Students will investigate the behavioural responses of an animal to different abiotic factors by designing simple choice experiments. The results will be linked to the adaptations these species have to their environments. Students will consider the safe and ethical use of organisms, ensuring optimal survival conditions are maintained before, during and after the experiments.

FIELD STUDIES COUNCIL

Slapton Ley Field Centre OCR A A-Level Biology Course Programme

FSC Slapton Ley, Slapton, Kingsbridge, Devon, TQ7 2QP

Tel: 01548 580466 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.field-studies-council.org/centres/slapton/slaptonley.aspx

Field Studies Council is a limited Company, registered in England and Wales No. 412621 and a Charity No. 313364. Registered Office; Preston Montford, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 1HW

4 Freshwater Ecology in Slapton Wood Stream

PAGS 3 (Sampling techniques) & 12 (Research Skills): Planning Students will research and plan an individual ecological investigation to carry out the following day, using the knowledge of sampling (PAG 3) they have acquired during the course. A range of habitats can be used for this investigation.

Biodiversity, Biomass and Trophic Levels

Students will use primary data to construct pyramids of number, biomass and energy for the stream ecosystem. They will use these to consider the efficiency of energy transfer. Light and dark algal bottles could be used to estimate the total amount of energy being fixed through photosynthesis within an ecosystem.

Populations: Distribution, Abundance and Chi-squared Students will sample two microhabitats in Slapton Wood Stream, measuring the abundance of different organisms in each. Students will use this data to test if there is association between trophic level and micro-habitat using the chi-squared statistical test. They will also identify specific adaptations and consider how these enable different species to survive in a particular microhabitats.

5 PAGS 3 & 12: Data collection Students will carry out their planned individual investigation. They will use the most appropriate equipment and methods and control key variables. They will work safely, assessing the risks of working in the selected habitat and making adjustments if necessary.

Course finishes at 1230

Please note that to ensure safe and quality learning experiences for students, the

timetable may alter depending on weather

conditions and tide times.

Specification links, Core Practicals, Assessment Skills & Mathematics

Maths Skills: Mathematical skills now make up at least 10% of the marks at A level and this is reflected by their prominence throughout the course. Embedded into each session will be numerous opportunities for students to practice and develop their arithmetic and numerical computation, data handling, algebra, and graphical skills. Students will also have the opportunity to carry out up to three statistical tests (Spearman’s rank, Student’s t-test and chi-squared) on their own primary data.

Specification Links: Module 1 (1.1 and 1.2): Development of Practical Skills in Biology Module 4 (4.2.1 and 4.2.2): Biodiversity, evolution and disease Module 5 (5.1.5): Communication, homeostasis and energy Module 6 (6.1.2, 6.3.1 and 6.3.2): Genetics, evolution and ecosystems

Apparatus & Technique Skills: 1.2.2(a): Use appropriate apparatus to record quantitative measurements 1.2.2(e): Produce scientific drawing from observation with annotations 1.2.2 (g): Separation of biological compounds using thin layer/paper chromatography 1.2.2(h): Safely and ethically use organisms to measure plant or animal responses 1.2.2(k): Use sampling techniques in fieldwork

1.2.2(l): Use ICT such as data logger to collect data, or use software to process data)

Exam Skills: We recognise that students often struggle with exam questions on ecology topics. Students often find it difficult to transfer knowledge and skills learnt in one habitat to a scenario based in another. Our tutors will ensure students recognise the key ecological principles which will form the basis of exam answers no matter what context they are set in. Embedded into every day will be opportunities to practice exam style questions and get expert feedback on their responses.

FIELD STUDIES COUNCIL

Slapton Ley Field Centre OCR A A-Level Biology Course Programme

FSC Slapton Ley, Slapton, Kingsbridge, Devon, TQ7 2QP

Tel: 01548 580466 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.field-studies-council.org/centres/slapton/slaptonley.aspx

Field Studies Council is a limited Company, registered in England and Wales No. 412621 and a Charity No. 313364. Registered Office; Preston Montford, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 1HW

What is included in the fee?

Up to 9 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 teachers, 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 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 are flexible. The programme outlined in this booklet is a sample that has been designed to

meet the requirements of your specification. However, should you wish to select certain options, or include

subject content or practicals not catered for in fieldwork investigations outlined, please contact us to discuss

possible alternatives.

External Recognition of Quality

Slapton Ley Field Centre 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 01548 580466

Email us at [email protected]


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