ga branches - a celebration
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GA Branches - ideas for supporting and developing.TRANSCRIPT
GA Branches“A celebration..”
Who am I ?
[email protected] http://slideshare.net/geoblogsTwitter: @GeoBlogs
Action Plan for Geography
“Branches and Networks”
One of the strands of the plan – to support and increase the reach of the GA
Thanks to anyone who has supported a GA branch over the
last five years in any way...
Follow up to last year’s session...http://geography.org.uk/cpdevents/annualconference/derby2010/#LP4
The Geographical Association
“furthering the learning and teaching of geography”....
Branches are at the heart of the GA
Some are now over 100 years old...
Will they still be around in 100 years time ?
Branches: not all the same
“What is a GA branch ?”
“What do GA branches do ?”
Diversity of offerings
Tsunami – Eyjafjallajokull – Aid –
Flooding – Urban change –
Farming – Natural Hazards –
Exam technique – History of a
street – The Andes – Personal
Geographies – Mapping –
Globalisation....
Worldwise Quiz
Diversity of audience
Branch Websites
Posterous.com – free and easy...
Branch examples
Students reporting on eventsDo you SEA the benefits?
On Tuesday the 1st of March 2011 we arrived at the Bristol University Geography department with
teams from across Bristol all ready for a challenge.
After an introductory talk on the increasingly relevant issue of rising sea levels and their impact on
the South West, we were posed the question – What coastal defences would we implement as a
sustainable solution. We were asked to consider possible methods of sea defences in the three
coastal areas of Sand Bay, Burnham on Sea, and Western Super Mare.
As we disappeared in our groups we had only an hour to come up with a 2minute presentation
given to three judges to justify our decision. After doing a cost benefit analysis on Sand Bay, we
chose to implement the ‘Do Nothing’ approach – a relatively simple and very cheap technique!
At Burnham on Sea we decided to maintain the existing defences (to prevent waste in the current
economic climate), as well as planting Marram Grass which stabilises dunes as a natural defence,
which could be carried out, by local schools to educate the local community.
At Western Super Mare we decided to use a variety of hard engineering schemes to protect the
new investment in the town and the pier. We decided to trial a developing technique using an
offshore ‘buffer’ made out of recycled material to act as a breakwater to ensure tourism wasn’t
affected by the defence.
When we presented our ideas we focused on treating the towns not a separate entities but as a
system, particularly ensuring longshore drift along the coastline was not affected by our schemes.
We enjoyed the chance to work as a team, develop our communication skills and confidence – a
great preparation for University, and we were very pleased with our success.
By Clare Dickins and Georgie Eccles
Redland High School March 2011
e-bulletin via Anne Greaves
Branches ‘working group’...John DavidsonExeter School
Wellington GA John Davidson &
colleagues
Wellington GA 6th form pupils with guest speaker Professor Iain Stewart
November 9th November 2010
Professor Jurgen Neuberg
‘Listening to the Heartbeats of
Volcanoes’
The Geographical Association
Shropshire Branch
Activities
Photo: RH Morris
Photo: RH Morris
Shropshire Branch Activities
Annual Lecture – Eminent speaker to speak on a topic of general geographical interest
Sixth form lectures – especially on topics that are covered by most boards i.e. climate change (suitable also for G & T GCSE students)
Branch Ning
Year 10/11 Worldwise Local Round
Members Fieldtrip/Social
Photo: RH Morris
Programme 2010/11
A Level Lecture SeriesOctober – Pluvial Flooding – Paul Weeden
November - 2012 London Olympics – Bob Digby
December - Hazards of the Caribbean – Dr. Servel Miller –University of Chester
February – Superpower Geographies – Prof. Klaus Dodds. Royal Holloway College
March – Alpine Glaciers and Climate Change – Prof. David Collins, Salford University
Also……
Worldwise Quiz (Yr 10/11) – Local Round in November
AGM/Social/Fieldtrip to Stiperstones –May 11th 6.30pm
Photo: HC Jackson-Stops
Next Year……Iain Stewart Lecture 29th September
4 other A level lectures
Worldwise Quiz
Joint event with RGS
60th Anniversary Celebration
Cluster Training and Workshops
How Much?
Educational and Corporate Members - £25 per annum includes all teachers/pupils and employees –free entrance to all lectures and entry into competitions
Individual members - £10 per annum includes entrance to all lectures
Entrance to lectures for non-members -£3 adults and £1 pupils
“ If Carlsberg did GA branches.....”
Feedback
Practical advice about organising finances, updating the GA
website branch page and organisational suggestions(keeping
records such as minutes, how many people are needed for a
committee, examples of roles) would be useful for people setting up a new branch.
Sample letters/posters/emails explaining what GA branches do and templates for advertising events with the
relevant logo
Information on insurance and legal liability - who is
responsible if an accident occurs at a lecture or on an outing?
Sample risk assessments for different types of activity.
List of recommended speakers / people willing to speak for
expenses only
What could your branch do for you ?What could you do for your branch ?
Check out your local GA branch programme