FREE One day Geography CPD course for KS3 and GCSE

This free CPD course at our offices in Banstead, Surrey aims to develop the use of global examples and case studies in the teaching of geography at KS3 and GCSE. You will have the opportunity to discuss and evaluate a range of practical approaches to develop your geography students’ global sense of place.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    zzzSimon Simon Ross                                 

is Head of Geography at Queen’s College, Taunton and is an examiner/moderator for a major GCSE exam board. He has written and edited numerous textbooks including Geography GCSE AQA A (Nelson Thornes) and AQA Geography AS/A2 (OUP). He is the Geography Advisor for ‘Discover the World’ and has been working on the production of resources for teachers both in the field and in the classroom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Rogers

is Curriculum Leader of the multi-award winning geography department at Priory School in Portsmouth. He is a Chartered Geographer and Chair of the Geographical Association's Secondary Phase Committee. David has delivered professional development sessions to a wide variety of audiences and is known for his innovative approach to learning and practical, easily implemented tips.

 

 

To register for your FREE place please email

study@discovertheworld.co.uk

If you would like more information please click here.

Look forward to meeting you in Banstead, Surrey

£2,000 Discover the World inaugral grant for schools

You could win our inaugral £2000 grant towards a school field trip to Iceland - we believe this wonderful country is the world's best living textbook!

We are offering a £2,000 grant for one school group to use against a field trip to Iceland. Any school can apply, you just need to let us know why you think your school should qualify for this fantastic opportunity.  The winners will be awarded the grant on the basis of the application that most impresses the adjudicators at the Geographical Association.  As a result of the grant you could organise a school trip to Iceland from as little as £340 per person (based on 20 paying passengers and 2 free staff in low season for a 3 day tour).
All applications must be received by 20 April 2012. To find out about full terms and conditions and how to apply, click here »

More information about our student trips to Iceland and beyond.

 

Missed the Northern Lights in the UK?

You lucky few in the North with that stunning display of the Northern Lights over the UK last week.  We in the South were quite envious of the glorious photographs displayed on the BBC website.

However, all is not lost for us Southerners - you can still see the Aurora Borealis on a student trip to Iceland during the months of October through to  April.  We are currently getting a lot of requests for 2012 and even 2013 so if you are thinking of planning a trip do get in touch soon.  These dates tie in very nicely with the forecast by Nasa that these next two winters are likely to be the best show of Northern Lights for over a decade - if not more if some reports are to be believed.

The Alaska website offers you and your students a chance to see what the likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights - sun solar flare activity and clear skies permitting!

ASE Conference - Eyjafjallajokull ash...

Thank you for coming to visit us at the ASE Conference in Liverpool.

It was great to meet you and to share some of the ash from the famously unprounceable volcano Eyjafjallajokull.  Whilst at the conference we found out the ash is magnetic!

That is why the lightening was so spectacular as the volcano erupted - captured fantastically by this amazing photograph by Ragnar.

If you would like more information about the volcano do sign up for our free on-line study aid.  You can also request some ash for yourself to see what all the fuss was about at study@discovertheworld.co.uk

If you would like to collect some ash yourself why not join us on an Iceland study visit.

 

Eyjafjallajokull erupts ... for those that missed it...

If you were affected by Eyjafjallajokull's ash cloud or simply want to know more about this 2010 eruption then take a look at our BRAND NEW online study aids.

Written by David Rogers and Simon Ross these brand new case study material, classroom resources and lessons give you first hand accounts, video clips and maps and diagrams supported by stunning images.  To get your FREE access please register

In addition get YOUR OWN SAMPLE OF THE ASH by e mailing us study@discovertheworld.co.uk. 

This online study aid will give you everything you ever wanted to know about Iceland's famously unpronounceable volcano!  Even how to pronounce it.......

 

 

How to build a volcano!

I will be glued to the TV on Thursday night at 8pm on Channel 5 to watch "How to build a volcano".

This amazing project involves top vulcanologists from around the world who have collaborated with  some of the top Hollywood creators for a breathtaking and dangerous project.  They will be testing the latest scientific therories in a series of experiments by creating a series of spectacular volcanic eruptions and really putting to the test the many theories that abound in the world of volcanoes.

They will try to answer the many unsolved questions on the nature of volcanoes and the geological activity that sets them off.

The programme ends with a spectacular climax.

Here you can see the stunning eruption Eyjafjallajokul in April 2010.  You can now get up close and personal on our EXCLUSIVE 8WD excursion which we now offer our school groups who travel with us to Iceland.

 

All the results are in! Congratulations to your students

Congratulations to all your students on their exam results. I hope they are exactly what they wanted and will allow them to continue on their journey towards their goals.

We have heard from teachers, and indeed students themselves, saying how much a field trip had helped them in their studies and inspired them to take up Geography at either A level or University following an overseas field trip.

In the Guardian, Michael Palin stressed how important Geographers are in shaping the world we live - so your students are the key to the future – but you know that already.

If you would like to see some of the students’ comments and feedback from teachers about a field trip with Discover the World please take a peek here.

And if this inspires you to start thinking about your next field trip please e mail study@discovertheworld.co.uk to receive a personal copy of our new brochure out shortly. We are number one to Iceland, which just brings the text book alive as many of you know already, and have added some really exciting new destinations to many other volcanic islands.

Congratulations again!

Schools Out for Summer - get ready for September!

As most of the schools are now about to finish, or have finshed already, we would like to say a big THANK YOU to all of you who have taken a school trip with us. 

We have enjoyed working with you again this year and your travel testimonials are an inspiration for us.  Especially the ones where you have quoted your students and let us know how much they felt inspired by the countries you have taken them to - especially Iceland and Morocco.

Have a great summer break and if you want to hit the new term running with another trip ready to roll we are here throughout the summer and have some wonderful NEW DESTINATIONS to tempt you as well as the inspirational Iceland and amazing Morocco.

Have a lovely summer and best wishes from all of us in the schools' team

Follow Richard Hammond's footsteps to the Centre of the Planet - Iceland

Tonight at 9pm on BBC1 we will all be following Richard Hammond’s new two-part TV programme  Journey to the Centre of the Planet which features the wonders of Iceland. The island sits directly over the point where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet, resulting in a geological fascination.   

 
Here you’ll find an amazing mix of active and dormant volcanoes, immense lava fields, spouting geysirs, powerful waterfalls, Europe’s largest glacier and bubbling mud pools.  Following in Richard’s footsteps by visiting Thingvellir National Park, where you can walk, snorkel or even dive between the tears in the earth’s crust at Silfur - even on a school visit to Iceland! Marvel at spouting Strokkur geysir on the Golden Circle Route. Iceland is where you will literally witness the earth breathing and the energy of the planet beneath our feet.

If you are planning a trip to Iceland contact us now for our special late availability for October 2011 and February 2012 - it's not too late.

ps Don't worry if you miss it, it will be on BBC iplayer!

Lorraine

 

Britain to be powered by Iceland's geothermal wonders?

The British government believes that a 700 mile cable from Iceland via Scotland could supply million of homes with affordable and renewable power from Iceland’s 200 volcanoes and hot springs. 

Britain is trying to meet carbon emission targets and is becoming more reliant on energy produced from renewable sources. This Iceland initiative would reduce the risk of power cuts and would be more consistent from Iceland’s hydropower and geothermal energy resources.

Iceland’s government owned energy provider, Landsvirkjun, is currently undertaking a feasibility study involving Norway, Britain, Germany and the Netherlands. This is a positive step in the right direction, towards a greener Britain and a more sustainable future for the energy consumption of Europe.

Today, over 80% of Iceland’s primary energy is derived from renewable energy sources. Much of the country’s energy and hot water is provided by harnessing the power of the earth, such as Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Plant and Irafoss Hydroelectric Power Plant, which are attractions to school groups visiting Iceland! If you are studying renewable energy you may find the Hellishedi geothermal plant processes useful.

Discover the World offer school trips to this outdoor classroom, where your students can experience a variety of sites relating to renewable energy; including the Blue Lagoon, geothermal power plants, hydroelectric power plants, the world’s first hydrogen filling station. Combine this with a wealth of geographical wonders such as volcanoes, waterfalls, glaciers, hot springs, geysers and thermal mud pools. But don’t take our word for it - see what others thought of their school trip with us!

For more information on our Iceland educational programme, please click here.