Interactive geography day for secondary school pupils
On Thursday 16th January, JBA Trust and the University of Nottingham delivered an ‘Interactive Geography Day’ for 120 Year 8 pupils at Ermysted’s Grammar School in Skipton.
By using innovative river and coastal demonstration models, pupils learnt about flood and coastal risk management in an exciting and engaging way. The event also aimed to help inspire pupils to study geography as part of their future studies.
JBA Trust and the University of Nottingham collaborated to provide pupils with demonstrations of three interactive models including a projection augmented relief model (PARM) of Skipton, augmented reality sandbox and coastal wave tank, followed by activities to consolidate learning. Volunteers from JBA Consulting supported the event by demonstrating the models.
Robert Beresford, former Ermysted’s pupil commented “Studying at Ermysted’s furthered my interest in geography, which convinced me to pursue the subject at university. This led to my job at JBA Consulting, so it was fitting to return to the school to help deliver interactive activities to increase interest in the environment. I enjoyed seeing the range of landscapes the pupils modelled in the augmented reality sandbox to test the effects of dams, embankments and natural flood management schemes.”
“It was great to see the enthusiasm of the pupils for exploring the geographies of the local area using the Projection Augmented Relief Model (PARM). It was interesting to see the way they interacted with the 3D printed model of Skipton and the differences in the landmarks they identified. They were very engaged when we then projected various maps, images and animations over the landscape model to explain the flood hazard in the area.” added Dr Gary Priestnall from the School of Geography at Nottingham University.
The physical model demonstrations were complemented by presentations from current University students. Kiera Waters, undergraduate student from the University of Leeds, and Emily Richardson, masters student from the University of Nottingham, talked to pupils about the subjects they studied at school, why they chose to study geography at University and their plans for the future.
Kathryn Suter, Assistant Head of Humanities at Ermysted’s Grammar School commented “The Geography students in year 8 were so enthused by the interactive models that JBA Trust brought in to school. They really bring to life the work we do in school and allow the boys to see the relevance of this in the real world”.
