GA Branches“A celebration..”

Who am I ?

aparkinson@geography.org.uk 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