The document discusses GA branches and their role in supporting geography teaching and learning. It provides examples of the diverse activities branches organize, such as lectures, workshops, field visits, and social events. These events attract a variety of audiences, including students, teachers, and retired individuals. The document also highlights the Shropshire GA branch as a case study, outlining its annual program of A-Level lectures and other events. It emphasizes that branches can be supported through individual and corporate memberships.

1. GA Branches“A celebration..”

3. Who am I ? aparkinson@geography.org.uk http://slideshare.net/geoblogs Twitter: @GeoBlogs

4. 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...

5. Follow up to last year’s session...http://geography.org.uk/cpdevents/annualconference/derby2010/#LP4

6. The Geographical Association“furthering the learning and teaching of geography”....

7. Branches are at the heart of the GASome are now over 100 years old...Will they still be around in 100 years time ?

8. “The most effective tool ever invented for human communication is the table…” Clay Shirky

9. Good coverage

11. Branches: not all the same

12. “What is a GA branch ?”

13. “What do GA branches do ?” networking Student support Social event Learning from an expert CPD offering Giving something back

14. Diversity of offerings quiz Subject update Lectures / workshops revision travelogues Field visit

15. Tsunami – Eyjafjallajokull – Aid – Flooding – Urban change – Farming – Natural Hazards – Exam technique – History of a street – The Andes – Personal Geographies – Mapping – Globalisation....

16. Worldwise Quiz

17. Diversity of audience GCSE students Primary / KS3 students 6th form students teachers Mature students Retired people

18. P.L.N

19. Branch Websites Publicity Sharing resources

20. Posterous.com – free and easy...

21. Branch examples

22. Students reporting on events Do 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

23. e-bulletin via Anne Greaves

24. Branches ‘working group’...John DavidsonExeter School

25. Wellington GA John Davidson & colleagues

26. Wellington GA 6th form pupils with guest speaker Professor Iain Stewart

28. WGA Autumn lecture November 9th November 2010 Professor JurgenNeuberg ‘Listening to the Heartbeats of Volcanoes’

31. local teachers’ interests PGCE students local fundraising joint RGS events GA Worldwise Quiz

32. come & contribute GCSE / ‘A’ level 6th form conference @ UEA Presidential lecture fieldtrip

33. Delivery Plan Branch champions ‘Primary friendly’ New geographies – linking Schools & academics ‘student-led’

34. GA Shropshire Branch Robert Morris Case Study

35. The Geographical AssociationShropshire Branch Activities

36. Photo: RH Morris

37. Photo: RH Morris

38. 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

39. Photo: RH Morris

40. Programme 2010/11

41. A Level Lecture Series October – 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

42. Also…… Worldwise Quiz (Yr 10/11) – Local Round in November AGM/Social/Fieldtrip to Stiperstones –May 11th 6.30pm Photo: HC Jackson-Stops

43. 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

44. 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

45. “ If Carlsberg did GA branches.....”

46. Feedback

47. Think inside the box…

48. 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

49. Branches: Progress….

50. International Branches

51. What could your branch do for you ?What could you do for your branch ?

52. Check out your local GA branch programme