Autumn 2024 Hazards Masterclass | Course Outline

Course Details

Original 'Saturday live' broadcast: 09:00 - 13:00 GMT (UK), Saturday 16 November 2024, Personal ticket price: £35 (incl. VAT).

In-school screenings at Time for Geography partner schools: From 18 November 2024 onwards. For reduced group cost options for partner schools and access to Masterclass CPD opportunities: Register here.

For partner schools, the Masterclass is provided as a modular package of session videos and accompanying digital workbook, with options to deliver it as either a single session or multiple sessions during lesson periods.

Introduction

This Autumn, we're bringing together some of the most inspiring presenters from Time for Geography videos for an engaging and enriching GCSE Hazards Masterclass!

Join world-leading geographers from UK universities, our acclaimed subject experts and award-winning curriculum specialists, to discover the full richness of Earth's systems, environments and hazards, broadcast directly to your classroom, auditorium, or students at home.

This Autumn’s programme focuses on tectonic hazards and brings together the experience of an inspiring student conference and an international field expedition in a cinematic onscreen format, designed for students studying the following specification units:

• AQA GCSE Geography (Unit 3.1.1: The challenge of natural hazards)
• Edexcel GCSE Geography B (Topic 1: Hazardous Earth)
• OCR GCSE Geography B (Topic 1: Global Hazards)
• WJEC GCSE Geography (Section B, Theme 3: Tectonic landscapes and Hazards)
• WJEC Eduqas GCSE in Geography A (Section B, Theme 3: Tectonic landscapes and Hazards)
• National 5 Geography C833 75 (Environmental Hazards)
• Edexcel IGCSE Geography (9-1) (Topic 3: Hazardous Environments)
• Cambridge IGCSE Geography (9-1) (Theme 2: The Natural Environment)
• Cambridge IGCSE Geography (0460) (Theme 2: The Natural Environment)

For students: Designed to raise the motivation, engagement and outcomes of students by delivering these exciting and core aspects of the Key Stage 4 geography curriculum in the most engaging possible way! This Masterclass will help students position themselves to excel in their exams and make successful applications to higher education institutions.

Watch this short video for an introduction to the Hazards Masterclass!

Masterclass Outline

Welcome

The Masterclass will open with housekeeping and a short aspirational message delivered by Dr Rob Parker on behalf of the UK geography higher education community and leading employers of geographers and geoscientists.

5 minutes

Session 1 – From the Earth's interior to the hazards we face

Understanding how the physical processes of the Earth's interior shape tectonically-active landscapes enables geographers to study and assess the hazards posed by these environments.

In this first session, we undertake a cinematic Tour de Force of the structure and processes of our planet, from the Earth's core to the tectonic processes that shape its surface. Taking a global view of distributions of earthquakes and volcanoes, we investigate divergent, convergent and transform plate boundaries, and the different volcanic and seismic hazards associated with these regions.

50 minutes

10 minute break

Session 2 – Hazard impacts and responses case study: Volcanic eruptions in Iceland

Investigating past volcanic eruptions provides geographers powerful insights, through which we are able to forecast and prepare for future events.

In this session, we explore exciting new insights from a 50-year case study of one of the most important volcanic eruptions in the history of hazard management: The 1973 eruption on the island of Heimaey in southwest Iceland. Together with leading volcanic hazards experts and those who were there at the time, we explore the causes, impacts and responses to this eruption. Presented from the field in Iceland, we investigate primary and secondary hazards, and short- and long-term impacts and responses. Through this unique case study, this session also aims to help students build a more complete understanding of risk, as a combination of hazard, vulnerability and capacity to cope.

50 minutes

10 minute break

Session 3 – Hazard management and disaster risk reduction

Thanks to decades of research by geographers and geoscientists, we are now better prepared than ever before to manage and reduce the impacts of tectonics hazards.

Disaster crisis management and risk reduction involves a complex web of procedures and plans involving scientists, governments and civil protection organisations, alongside affected communities. In this session, we explore how monitoring and management strategies are used to reduce the impacts from tectonic hazards. Using state-of-the-art laboratory simulations, we show how GPS and remote sensing systems are used detect the underground movement of magma and forecast volcanic eruptions. We look at various practical strategies being used today to reduce risk during current eruptions, including hazard mapping, land use zoning, evacuation plans, education and engineering solutions, along with carefully planning the safe return of evacuees after an eruption.

50 minutes

10 minute break

Session 4 – The challenge of hazards and global development

Differences in hazard impacts and responses between areas of contrasting wealth are a major challenge to tackling global inequalities and uneven development.

In the final session, we turn our attention to the global challenge of managing hazards alongside inequalities between different regions. Through examples of regions with contrasting levels of wealth and development, we explore how disparities in economic resources, infrastructure, governance, and social systems influence the ability of communities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from hazards.

50 minutes

Closing message: The Journey Ahead

The Masterclass will close with a final message from our experts, leaving students feeling motivated to excel in their studies and university applications, and inspired to play important roles shaping the future of our world.

5 minutes

Masterclass Team

Tim Parker is an IGCSE Geography examiner, multi-award-winning educational screen-writer and Time for Geography presenter, and Head of Geography at a leading international school in the United Arab Emirates.

Dr Rhian Meara is one of the world’s foremost experts on the impacts of volcanic eruptions, whose career has seen her hold positions at the University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, University of Leicester, and Swansea University.

Dr Rob Parker is one of the UK’s most acclaimed geography subject leaders and head of the Time for Geography collaboration of 40 prestigious UK universities – including Cambridge University, Durham University, the University of Exeter, LSE, Imperial College London, King’s College London and others – supporting the transition of students from school to higher education and careers shaping the future of our world.

Emily Bilbie is a university lecturer, pioneer in the delivery of higher education through documentary film, and Associate Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy for the professional standards framework in teaching and supporting learning for higher education.

We will also be hearing from extended group of hazards experts from the Time for Geography Team.

Disclaimer

This outline may be subject to changes, as we finalise session plans in the run up to the Masterclass. Time for Geography is dedicated to providing high-quality educational resources and workshops to support students in their Geography studies. Our workshops are designed to enrich understanding, inspire engagement with geographical concepts, and enhance overall academic performance. Please note, however, that participation in our workshops does not guarantee specific outcomes in examinations or university applications. Performance in these areas is influenced by a wide range of factors, including individual study habits, the application of workshop materials, and the overall preparation strategy of each student. Time for Geography accepts no liability for the academic outcomes of students following their attendance at our workshop. All participants are encouraged to use the knowledge and skills gained from our sessions as part of a broader, comprehensive study plan. By enrolling in our workshop, you acknowledge and agree that Time for Geography is not responsible for any direct or indirect outcomes related to your examinations or future educational opportunities. We are committed to supporting your learning journey and wish you the best in your studies and beyond. Time for Geography is not affiliated with any qualification provider. While this Masterclass is designed to align with various curriculum specifications, it is the responsibility of schools and/or attendees to ensure that the programme is suitable for their learning requirements before booking. Please note that bookings are non-refundable, due to the advanced arrangements and preparations required to secure your place, including platform licensing fees that are incurred ahead of the event.