Some champion work in the NE

Steve Rawlinson, one of our Primary Geography Champions, has been busy organising what looks to have been an inspirational event...

From the press release of NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY:

Entitled, ‘Where will Geography lead me? Why does Geography need me’, the series was organised by the Tyne and Wear branch of the Geographical Association in conjunction with the staff of the Disciplines of Geography and Environmental Management at Northumbria. The first event of its kind in the country, the series aimed to give teachers new and exciting ideas to use in the classroom and to encourage children to have an interest in the subject.
Following a welcome from Steve Rawlinson, Principal Lecturer and Deputy Programme Leader for the PGCE Primary Education programme at Northumbria University, the workshops were opened by the Senior Vice President of the Geographical Association, John Halocha, Reader in Geography Education and Head of Geography at Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln.
The day saw teachers discussing exam marking, fieldwork and geophotography, while the children took part in a range of activities, including analysing pollen and looking at the texture of rocks by comparing the textures of different chocolate biscuits.
Ten-year-old Sarah-Louise Davidson of Welbeck Road primary School in Walker, who took part in the chocolate rock experiments, said: “I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s been fun and so it stays in your memory more.’’
Geography co-ordinator at Welbeck Road School, Dawn Atkinson, agreed.
“The children certainly seem to be getting a lot from it and it has really fired their enthusiasm,” she said. “I think it’s also great for them to come onto campus and see a university at first hand.”
Kayleigh Dale, 17, from George Stephenson School in Killingworth, who worked on the analysis of pollen experiment, added: “Geography is a dynamic subject and it’s been good to learn more about the science side of things. This has definitely made me more interested in geography as a subject.’’
John Halocha, who joined in with the workshops after opening the event, said: “It was great to see pupils becoming engaged with the subject and understanding its significance beyond school. An example of this was a year 9 boy quite clearly absorbed in hearing about geographical research on flooding around the world.”
Steve Rawlinson, Principal Lecturer and Deputy Programme Leader in PGCE Primary at Northumbria University, said: “We feel that events like this will open young people’s eyes to the many opportunities and interesting careers that exist in the field of geography.
“The workshops have also been an invaluable opportunity for children of primary, secondary and college age, to experience a taste of academic life at Northumbria.”

Steve is one of 29 Geography Champions appointed by the Geographical Association to promote excellence in primary geography. The North East has two Champions in the region, with Emma French, of Westmoor Primary School, North Tyneside, working alongside Steve to ensure that pupils and teachers have the opportunity to develop their geographical skills and understanding.

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