Geographers On the Move: Fieldwork Round-up
Year 13: Measuring the Flow at Little River
To wrap up Term 1, our Year 13 Geographers headed to Little River—a fascinating tributary of the mighty Rakaia. The focus of the trip was fluvial processes (the way running water shapes the land).
Students spent the day immersed in the stream to collect primary data for their internal research assessment. By measuring cross-sections and velocity at various points, they are now analyzing the changing morphology of the stream channel.
Special Acknowledgement: A huge thank you to Debbie Eddington from Environment Canterbury for her invaluable help during the day. Her expertise provided our students with a professional perspective on how our local waterways are managed and monitored.
Year 12: High Altitude Insights at Aoraki/Mt Cook
Kicking off Term 2 with a bang, our Year 12 students recently returned from a spectacular two-night expedition to Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. This trip offered a dual focus on both the natural world and our place within it.
Key Highlights included:
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Glacial Exploration: Working alongside a DOC educator, students examined the powerful glacial processes that carved the Tasman Valley. A real highlight was the Glacial Explorer boat trip, where students got up close to the calving face of the Tasman Glacier.
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Vegetation Zonation: To gather data for their research assessment, the group tackled the Red Tarns track. As they gained elevation, they recorded how plant life adapts to the harsher conditions of the sub-alpine zone.
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Human Impact: Beyond the physical geography, students investigated the delicate balance of tourism and conservation, looking at how humans impact one of New Zealand’s most iconic National Parks.
