I’ve just returned from a joint A-level Geography and Biology residential at the Field Studies Council (FSC) centre in Blencathra, nestled in the stunning Lake District. Despite the cold weather, I’m absolutely buzzing with ideas — and if you’re a science teacher, I’d wholeheartedly encourage you to consider organising a field trip like this for your students.
Our trip was packed with hands-on experiences that brought the syllabus to life. We started with mark-release-recapture on pond snails, a brilliant way for students to explore population sampling methods and consider the ethical issues involved in fieldwork. Later, we braved the wind and cold for a rocky shore investigation, where students identified species such as blennies, crabs, anemones, dogwhelks, limpets, and periwinkles, and explored the patterns of seaweed zonation.
We also delved into key fieldwork skills, including sampling strategies, quadrat use, and how to justify quadrat size and replication to ensure valid data — all those tricky concepts that make so much more sense when you’re standing on a windswept beach or in a woodland clearing.
One of the most memorable moments was setting three mammal traps and checking them in the morning. Two out of three worked, and we got to observe the differences between moles and voles up close. Since getting back, I’ve already been researching the cost of mammal traps because I can see how this simple, hands-on activity could really engage students, far more than the usual onion or potato practicals we rely on in class!
Although ecology isn’t my first love (I’m a pseudo-biochemist), I’ve found that field trips are a fantastic way to stretch your own teaching practice and reconnect with the outdoors. And if, like me, you’re not an ecology expert, working with a centre such as FSC makes all the difference. The instructors are knowledgeable, brilliant with students and ensure that everyone collects meaningful data suitable for statistical analysis, which builds students' confidence to handle real-life datasets.
I’ve also come away with inspiring new ideas, like estimating carbon stored in trees on our school site — a brilliant sustainability project linking biology, maths, and climate science.
If you’ve ever thought about running a residential but felt unsure where to start, my advice is simple: go for it! Field trips build students' confidence, deepen understanding, and spark enthusiasm for science — and give teachers a refreshing chance to see their subject (and students) in a whole new light.
Whether you’re a seasoned ecologist or stepping out of your comfort zone, a field trip might just be the highlight of your year.