Barcelona Field Studies Centre offers fully inclusive
Geography, Biology, Ecology, Environmental and Tourism field study programmes to
U.K. and International schools and colleges throughout the year in an
outstanding geographical environment.
The Barcelona area offers a range of settings for geography
fieldwork unrivalled in Europe.
The city of Barcelona presents a fascinating case study of many
of the major themes of urban growth and development, from its well preserved
medieval quarters, to the late nineteenth century L’Eixample and the
best-practice urban renewal schemes of El Raval, the Olympic Village and the
current Diagonal Mar and Forum projects. The range of issues
that can provide the basis for student investigations is large.
Barcelona is also surrounded by a number of spectacular and
unspoiled Natural Parks. Field study sites include the limestone landscapes of
the Garraf and Montserrat Natural Parks, the Ebro Delta wetlands, the alpine
landscape of Montseny, the volcanic scenery of Garrotxa Volcanic Park, and the
glacial topography of the Vall de Nuria.
Courses are tailored to the requirements of your school, a
member of our staff accompanies your group during all fieldwork and teaching is
provided as required until 10.00 p.m. in the evening. A number of leisure and
cultural options are available.
Fieldwork is supported by a wide-range of equipment together
with thorough and up-to-date materials.
The hotel we
normally use is located in one of Spain's most picturesque and unspoilt beach
resorts: Sitges. The journey time from Sitges to Barcelona by road or rail is
approximately 30 minutes. The quality of accommodation and food is high. The
teaching room at the hotel (seating up to 60) is equipped for the use of the
group.
Transport and drivers are provided by Autocars
del Penedes who have an excellent reputation for reliability, comfort and
safety.
For students of all abilities, the fieldwork activities are
exciting, demanding, motivating, and above all, safe.
Fieldwork is designed to achieve two broad aims: to allow
students to use and practice a variety of field techniques and to use and
increase their subject-specific knowledge via the development of focused case
studies in a Spanish environment. Methodologies can be adapted to achieve both
traditional 'sense of place' and enquiry-based learning objectives.
Planning and data collection in small groups and presentation
of quantitative data and decision-making exercises are features of the courses
and will give an ideal opportunity for U.K. students to help develop the Key
Skills included in the U.K. Key Skills qualification.