Edexcel IGCSE Geography Fieldwork
Barcelona Field Studies Centre offers a range of field studies designed to meet the fieldwork criteria of the Edexcel IGCSE Geography syllabus (2017). The studies will also help develop students' knowledge and understanding of a broad range of geographical concepts included in the specification content.
The field studies are supported by our Geography IGCSE Fieldwork Opportunities Handbook.
Specification Requirements
Edexcel IGSCE examines students' understanding of fieldwork through Section B of Paper 1 (Physical Geography) and Paper 2 (Human Geography). Students must have completed fieldwork in one Physical Geography topic and one Human Geography topic – Barcelona Field Studies Centre offers a choice of field studies under both topics. You can also include additional studies to maximise students' experience of learning syllabus content through real-world situations.
Each fieldwork activity meets the seven-stage enquiry process (as outlined in Appendix 6 of the specification). There will be some preparation work and follow-up work required at school – 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.
Content
Primary data collection includes at least one quantitative and one qualitative technique. Secondary data collection includes the use of at least two different secondary data sources for your chosen environment – these will be provided.
Different sampling strategies will be introduced as appropriate to the study. Students will also learn about health and safety in the field. The studies will provide the opportunity for students to acquire a range of practical skills and cognitive enquiry skills.
Edexcel IGCSE Field Study Options
Select at least one opportunity from a Physical Geography topic and a Human Geography topic listed under the 'Core Field Studies', plus other opportunities to further your students' understanding as desired. There are some locations which are used for different studies but we recommend you do not conduct two studies with different foci in the same area as there will be some similarities.
Core Field Studies
Physical Geography
1. River Environments Fieldwork Opportunity – River Tordera (changes in river channel characteristics)
| Location |
River Tordera – visiting four contrasting sites |
|---|---|
| Geographical enquiry (from the syllabus) |
Investigation of river processes and form through primary and secondary fieldwork evidence |
| Aim |
To investigate changes in river channel characteristics from source to mouth |
| Description |
Students will visit four sites on the River Tordera to investigate how the river changes as it moves from source to mouth |
| Primary data collection |
Quantitative Channel measurements: river velocity, width, depth, channel cross-sectional area, gradient and bed load Qualitative Annotated field sketch and digital photographs to show channel changes |
| Secondary data provided |
A GIS topographic map and data for study catchment |
2. Coastal Environments Fieldwork Opportunity – Sitges Coast (coastal processes and form)
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Geographical enquiry (from the syllabus) |
Investigation of coastal processes and form through primary and secondary fieldwork evidence |
| 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 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 |
Human Geography
3. Rural Environments Fieldwork Opportunity – Priorat (changing use of rural environments)
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Geographical enquiry (from the syllabus) |
Investigating the changing use of rural environments through primary and secondary evidence |
| Aim |
To investigate the rural rebranding of Priorat |
| Description |
Students will explore how Priorat has changed from being an area experiencing rural decline to a famous wine region with associated wine tourism |
| Primary data collection |
Quantitative Environmental quality survey, structured questionnaire, index of residential decay, perception survey, index of services and amenities, placecheck survey Qualitative Annotated photographs showing evidence of change, interviews with local shopkeepers |
| Secondary data provided |
Census data, background information on change in Priorat including social and economic development, the construction of a wine technology park, the environment impact, immigration and village services |
4. Rural Environments Fieldwork Opportunity – Catalan villages (changing use of rural environments)
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Geographical enquiry (from the syllabus) |
Investigating the changing use of rural environments through primary and secondary evidence |
| Aim |
To investigate the socio-economic changes in a selection of Catalan villages |
| Description |
Students will visit four villages located between 40 and 115 kilometres from Barcelona to investigate if Cloke's index of rurality can be applied to villages in the Barcelona region |
| Primary data collection |
Quantitative Environmental quality survey, price of a convenience item, index of services and amenities, structured questionnaire, investigation of transport links Qualitative Annotated photographs showing evidence of change, interviews with businesses (e.g. shopkeepers), evidence of change and cohesion/conflict and function |
| Secondary data provided |
Local census data, newspaper report on Spanish rural change, topographic maps and aerial photos of the villages |
5. Urban Environments Fieldwork Opportunity – El Raval, Barcelona (changing use of inner city environments)
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Geographical enquiry (from the syllabus) |
Investigating the changing use of central/inner urban environments through primary and secondary evidence |
| Aim |
To investigate how successful the urban regeneration schemes have been in the El Raval district of Barcelona |
| Description |
Students will visit four sample zones to investigate the regeneration in the old inner city district of El Raval |
| Primary data collection |
Quantitative Environmental quality survey, residential decay survey, perception survey, new business and economic activities survey, price of a convenience item Qualitative Annotated photographs, interviews with local stakeholders (e.g. shopkeepers, University students) |
| Secondary data provided |
Local census data, aerial photos, local crime map, evidence of graffiti, local newspaper reports |
6. Urban Environments Fieldwork Opportunity – Pedralbes to El Raval transect, Barcelona (changing use of central/inner urban environments)
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Geographical enquiry (from the syllabus) |
Investigating the changing use of central/inner urban environments through primary and secondary evidence |
| 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, map of distribution of foreign nationalities in Barcelona, health inequalities data |
7. Urban Environments Fieldwork Opportunity – 22@ in Poblenou, Barcelona (changing use of central/inner urban environments)
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Geographical enquiry (from the syllabus) |
Investigating the changing use of central/inner urban environments through primary and secondary evidence |
| Aim |
To investigate the urban rebranding strategies in the Poblenou district of Barcelona |
| Description |
Students will visit the Poblenou district which has been transformed from an old industrial district with toxic beaches, to a centre for new technologies with a remodelled seafront |
| Primary data collection |
Quantitative Environmental quality survey, land use survey, structured questionnaire Qualitative Annotated photographs, investigation of business functions, building observation |
| Secondary data provided |
Historical images, local newspaper report |
Other Field Studies
These studies will provide an opportunity for students to deepen their knowledge and understanding of other areas of the syllabus.
8. Hazardous Environments Fieldwork Opportunity (Physical Geography) – Garrotxa Volcanic Natural Park
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Syllabus content |
It also provides a case study of preparation for earthquakes (warning and evacuation, building design, remote sensing and GIS). |
| 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. |
9. Economic Activity and Energy Fieldwork Opportunity (Human Geography) – Poblenou, Barcelona
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Syllabus content |
|
| Description |
Students will explore the renewal of an old industrial quarter into a technological district (22@) in the Poblenou district of Barcelona. |
Edexcel IGCSE Example Fieldwork Programme
The programme outlines an example Edexcel IGCSE Fieldwork Programme for four days.
This is an example programme. All programmes are fully customisable and there are other activities which can be added to your stay.
|
Edexcel IGCSE Example Fieldwork 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 Select from River Tordera or 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 Select from Priorat, Catalan villages, El Raval, Pedrables to El Raval transect or 22@ in Poblenou 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 (Garrotxa Volcanic Natural Park or Poblenou) or an additional core field study 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