Outdoor Classroom | For Scotland | Biology

Standard Grade Biology Programmes

Experience shows that fieldwork can play a vital part in enthusing Standard Grade students.  Its ‘hands on’, practical approach, investigating real life situations, supports their understanding of biology with case studies, while also developing their enquiry skills.  Both aspects of fieldwork, will help students maximise their performance in Standard Grade coursework, and examinations.

As well as covering specific elements of the Course Arrangements, programmes also place a strong emphasis on developing core skills and informed attitudes, with an opportunity to participate in activities relating to enterprise, health, well being, and citizenship.

All programmes will include:

  • Using data, evidence, theories and explanations
  • Practical and enquiry skills
  • Communications skills
  • Applications and implications of science

Three day programme:
The Biosphere

This three day programme focuses on elements of the ‘Biosphere’ unit.   Students will leave with a greater understanding of fieldwork and the skills needed to complete an investigation.

  • Biological sampling methods and fieldwork techniques
  • Data collection using a range of fieldwork techniques
  • Analysis, presentation and interpretation of data
  • Investigations into freshwater ecosystems and dynamics – energy flow and food webs
  • Reward activities such as mammal and/or moth trapping, ropes challenge, team building and problem solving.

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Five day programme:
The Biosphere

This five day course focuses on elements of the ‘Biosphere’ unit.   This longer programme covers similar content as the three day programme, but enables students to gain broader experience in fieldwork and to experience a wider range of habitats and organisms.

  • Biological sampling methods and fieldwork techniques
  • Data collection using a range of fieldwork techniques
  • Analysis, presentation and interpretation of data
  • Investigating freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems, processes and dynamics
  • Reward activities such as mammal and/or moth trapping, ropes challenge, team building and problem solving.

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