BCS runs a disaster relief mapping workshop programme based on natural disasters for geography GCSE students in Years 9 and 10. It can also be adapted for younger students in Years 6, 7 and 8. All the workshops are run on school premises at a time and date that suits you.

 

In this two-hour workshop students will take on the roles of humanitarian aid, search and rescue, military and medical aid in a disaster relief scenario. They will mimic the job of mapping organisations such as MapAction, Shelter Box and the UN in producing maps to support aid workers. We look specifically at the Japanese earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster of 2011 and will have a new scenario based on the Turkish/Syrian earthquake of 2023 later this year.

 

The Restless Earth workshop consists of the following:

• A short presentation with background on the event and a crash course in cartography

• A short video about events leading up to the disaster

• Students are put into teams of five – coordinator, search and rescue, military, medical

   and humanitarian

• Students then create two disaster relief maps – one large scale and the other small scale

• Maps are marked based on cartographic design, accuracy and group work

• A winner is announced at the end of the workshop

• The winners are then entered into the annual nationwide Restless Earth competition

• The national winners are announced at the BCS Annual Conference in September

 

Each year, the winning entries are judged by the BCS Awards Council for the Schools Annual Award.

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Restless Earth and GCSE Geography

 

All exam boards require a level of cartography. Our Restless Earth workshop has been developed to contribute towards the GCSE Geography Natural Hazards and Geographic Skills modules.

 

Who runs the workshop?

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Jennifer Johnston, our Restless Earth Co-ordinator, is a skilled cartographer with lots of experience working with young people. Supported by volunteers from the Society, Jennifer is fully DBS-checked.

 

How much does it cost?

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Our workshops cost £275 + VAT (£330 total).

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Find out more​

If you would like to find out how your students can take part in a Restless Earth workshop, contact Jennifer Johnston at restless.earth@cartography.org.uk​

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