Geography - Field Trips
A wide range of types of fieldwork are carried out by pupils in various years. Fieldtrips vary each year (e.g. see Tentsmuir), but listed below are some of the activities carried out be the department.
Form 1J - Visit to the Scottish National Museum in Edinburgh as part of their Egypt studies.
First Form - Visit to the Crannog on Loch Tay.
Second Form - Local Studies in the Strathearn area.
Fourth/Fifth Form - Urban Landuse studies in Perth (comparison with urban models), Rural Service Functions in Tayside and Characteristics of the River Farg.
AS/A2-level & Higher - Urban social area analysis in Perth, Functional hierarchy in Perth, Rural settlement patterns in Tayside, Coastal morphology & sand dune succession at Tentsmuir, Retailing patterns and change in Perth and Landuse patterns and change in Edinburgh.
The School grounds and immediate locality provide numerous opportunities for geographical fieldwork and both in class groups and in individual studies. Recent AS/A2-level Personal Investigative Studies carried out by pupils have included :-
A study of stream water quality in the ground of Strathallan School
A comparison of local weather at Strathallan with forecasts from a range of sources
A study of weathering patterns on gravestones in Forgandenny graveyard
A comparison of soil characteristics under different types of vegetation in Strathallan School grounds.
Iceland 2007 Report by Nick Price
At Easter the Georgrpahy Department embarked upon a journey to the world of ice and fire. Iceland, with its rich diversity of geographical features and landscapes, was the perfect educational retreat. It was quickly understood that we would have to adapt to adverse weather conditions and a very memorable experience was had by all when we found ourselves swimming in the Blue Lagoon in the snow.
Highlights included the Geothermal Power Station the natural means by which Iceland obtains its hot warter, waterfalls such as the Gullfoss and the Shogafoss as well as the highlight of the trip, the Solhamegohll Glacier.
It was one of the most remarkable and enjoyable of countries to visit and Mr Barnes and Miss Wilkinson brought their sound knowledge and humour to the group that made it all the more worthwhile.