The British Cartographic Society > Restless Earth Schools Workshop

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FREE Restless Earth Workshop for Year 10 students

The British Cartographic Society (BCS) is extending its Outreach Programme to schools by running FREE to attend workshops for Year 10 secondary school students on mapping natural disasters.

The theme of the workshop is ‘Restless Earth’ with specific reference to post disaster mapping and focuses on the earthquake disaster in Japan. It will involve a series of practical activities that will integrate good map design with GIS technology.

The workshop supports both Edexcel and AQA Physical Geography modules entitled The Restless Earth, specifically the following key ideas:

Earthquakes occur at constructive, destructive and conservative plate margins
- Features of earthquakes – epicentre, focus, shock waves.
The effects of earthquakes and responses to them
- Primary and secondary effects; immediate and long term responses
Tsunamis are a specific secondary effect and can have devastating effects in coastal areas
- A case study of a tsunami – its cause, effects and responses.

Forthcoming Workshops
We are currently planning our programme of workshops for Academic Year 2012/13, if you would like to arrange or attend a workshop please contact us.
Provisional Programme:
4th July - Taunton
11th July - Alsager
26th September - Penarth
3rd October - Feltham
16th October - Godalming
14th November - Altrincham
4th December - Letchworth

Comments from previous workshops:

“Far exceeded expectations – and they were pretty high after reading all the blurb. The enthusiasm from the volunteers, the efficiency and the quality of the resources made it so special. To have 55 pupils of very mixed ability engaged for 2 hours is wonderful to watch. You opened many eyes to the scale of the work behind the scenes of a disaster and to the wonderful world of maps!” Jodi Barber, Westbourne School, Penarth.

"Overall I thought the day was very useful indeed and that maps are more than just a pretty drawing, they have meaning and useful qualities" Student from Parkside School.You can read a review and summary of the Restless Earth Workshop attended by Parkside School on their website

"The Sendai Earthquake fits in very well with the curriculum for AQA A - it is an earthquake case study that hits two areas - earthquakes in richer parts of the world and the effects of a tsunami. The task itself simulates the actual processes that take place in the immediate aftermath of the disaster, and as such are made very real to the students. By undertaking the task students have embedded this case study and have been able to recall details in case study answers in test questions since." Lampton School.

“The workshop has exceeded expectations – the resources and staff were excellent. The task was challenging but appropriate”. Bishop Stopford School

"The way in which the BCS workshop was planned and delivered allowed all our pupils to gain skills and in many cases has been a highlight of this academic year for pupils and staff." Kirkbie Kendal School.

If you would like to know more about attending a workshop or find out more about the BCS outreach programme then please Contact Us

Alternatively read our flyer [PDF]