Recently a large number of Year 13 AS Biology students and their teachers ventured to Ballyhornan Point, County Down, in order to carry out a rocky shore zonation study!
The group was blessed with good weather and this made the task of sampling the environment a much more pleasant experience for all involved. It also allowed students to gather a great deal more data than usual. The students were extremely focused and a number finished the day with a much greater interest in the species identified during the process.
Undoubtedly this trip has helped our students gain a deeper understanding of the adaptation topic. They could clearly identify the key features of species found at the upper, mid and lower shore. Whether it was lichen, barnacle, sea weed, periwinkle or indeed sea lemons, the students all now have first-hand experience of carrying out systematic sampling and identifying species! This has brilliantly developed key skills for their study of Biology at A-level and anticipated themes in the upcoming examinations.
Head of Department, Mr McKnight, commented,
“It can be a real challenge to facilitate our large cohort of AS students in completion of field work. It is great to see our students engage so well in the process and it is evident from their questions and written reports that they now have a fuller understanding not only of the theory material but also the importance of systematic sampling in order to study a transition zone such as the rocky shore. We are indebted to Isabel Hood, formerly of the Ebbit field centre, as her expertise in species identification made the task much more manageable for the staff involved. The Biology Department are now looking forward to continuing the subject with this excellent group of AS students and we would like to take this opportunity to wish them well for their external examinations!”
