Edexcel GCSE Geography Fieldwork Syllabus B: Field Study Options and Examples

Fieldwork in Edexcel GCSE Geography B is examined through Topic 6 in Component 2 'Geographical investigations'. This comprises fieldwork and research, carried out in contrasting environments, one from 'Coastal change and conflict' or 'River processes and pressures' and one from 'Dynamic urban areas' or 'Changing rural areas'.

Edexcel requires:
Students must carry out fieldwork and research as part of their investigations. Fieldwork must be outside the classroom and school/college grounds. It does not have to take place in the UK necessarily but the examination for this Paper will always treat fieldwork within the context of the UK.

Barcelona Field Studies Centre offers relevant fieldwork for one investigation in each of the physical and human geography topics that will be applicable to the context of the UK. Each fieldwork activity follows the enquiry process. There will be some preparation work and follow-up work required at school and materials will be provided to support this.

If you opt for a 'Taught' course, an evening follow-up session will be included. This will review the day's fieldwork activities and assist students to analyse and evaluate their findings.

Edexcel GCSE Geography B Field Study Options

Select at least one opportunity from a Physical Geography topic and a Human Geography topic, plus other opportunities to further your students' understanding as desired.

1. Coastal Change and Conflict Fieldwork Opportunity: Sitges Coast

Location	Sitges Coast
Geographical enquiry (from the syllabus)	Investigate the impact of coastal management on coastal processes and communities
Aim	To investigate beach profile and sediment characteristics
Description	Students will undertake a shoreline-to-cliff foot/sea-wall transect to investigate coastal processes and form. This study will also support understanding of a retreating coastline, the coast as a natural system and its processes, coastal landforms and potential human conflict at the coastline.
Primary data collection	Quantitative Beach profile: length, height and slope of beach Sediment: size and shape of material along the transect Qualitative Annotated field sketch of coastal features and digital photographs to show variations along a stretch of coast
Secondary data provided	Local geology map, local aerial map, map of dominant wave direction, local secondary data on coastal change

1. Investigating Dynamic Urban Environments Fieldwork Opportunity: El Raval, Barcelona
There are many alternative contrasting urban environments easily accessible within the city. Using one inner city environment in which there are strong contrasts within a relatively small area, (El Raval), minimises walking and travel time.

Location	El Raval, Barcelona
Geographical enquiry (from the syllabus)	Investigate how and why quality of life varies within urban areas
Aim	To investigate how quality of life varies within four areas of the El Raval district of Barcelona
Description	Students will visit four sample zones to investigate the differences in quality of life in the old inner city district of El Raval.
Primary data collection	Quantitative Environmental quality survey, residential decay survey, perception survey, business and economic activities survey, price of a convenience item Qualitative Annotated photographs
Secondary data provided	Local census data, aerial photos, local crime map, evidence of graffiti, local newspaper reports

2. Investigating Dynamic Urban Areas Fieldwork Opportunity: Pedralbes to El Raval transect, Barcelona

Location	Transect from Pedralbes to El Raval, Barcelona
Geographical enquiry (from the syllabus)	Investigate how and why quality of life varies within urban areas
Aim	To investigate change in urban land use and environmental quality
Description	Students will visit six sites on a transect from the suburbs to the inner city in Barcelona.
Primary data collection	Quantitative Environmental quality survey, land use survey Qualitative Annotated photographs
Secondary data provided	Census data on average family income by district or street, map of distribution of foreign nationalities in Barcelona, health inequalities data

These studies will provide an opportunity for students to deepen their knowledge and understanding of other areas of the syllabus, but will not be suitable for the fieldwork section of the examination.

1. Hazardous Earth Fieldwork Opportunity (Topic 1): Garrotxa Volcanic Natural Park

Location	Garrotxa Volcanic Natural Park
Syllabus content	There are different plate boundaries, each with characteristic volcanic and earthquake hazards Tectonic hazards affect people, and are managed, differently at contrasting locations
Description	There are a number of locations which you can choose to visit including volcanoes, historic lava flows, an active fault line, volcanic quarries and a volcano museum.

Location

Garrotxa Volcanic Natural Park

Syllabus content

There are different plate boundaries, each with characteristic volcanic and earthquake hazards

Tectonic hazards affect people, and are managed, differently at contrasting locations

Description

There are a number of locations which you can choose to visit including volcanoes, historic lava flows, an active fault line, volcanic quarries and a volcano museum.

2. River Processes Fieldwork Opportunity: River Tordera

Location	River Tordera – visiting four sites
Syllabus content	Distinctive river landscapes have different characteristics formed by interacting physical processes
Description	Students will visit four sites on the River Tordera to investigate how the river changes as it moves from source to mouth. They will take channel measurements and do annotated field sketches

Edexcel GCSE Geography B Example Programme

The itinerary outlines an example Edexcel GCSE Geography B Fieldwork Programme for four days. Further information on each of the fieldwork opportunities can be found in the details above.

This is an example programme. All programmes are fully customisable and there are other activities which can be added to your stay.

Edexcel GCSE Geography B Example Programme
Day 1	Arrival in Barcelona Airport pick-up and 2.5 hour orientation tour of the city Evening: Welcome, briefing on Health and Safety and context setting for the following day's fieldwork Evening meal
Day 2	Breakfast Full day: Physical Geography Fieldwork Opportunity Sitges Coast Evening: Two-hour follow-up session to review the day's fieldwork activities and support students in analysing and evaluating their data. The session will also set the context for the following day's fieldwork Evening meal
Day 3	Breakfast Full day: Human Geography Fieldwork Opportunity Pedrables to El Raval transect Evening: Two-hour follow-up session to review the day's fieldwork activities and support students in analysing and evaluating their findings. The session will also set the context for the following day's fieldwork Evening meal
Day 4	Breakfast Full day: Additional Field Study Select an additional study to enhance students' syllabus understanding: River Tordera or La Garrotxa Evening follow up session, as appropriate Evening meal
Day 5	Departure and airport drop-off

For further information or if you have an enquiry, please contact us