A Level and IB Biology CoursesThe grounds of Leeson House provide a rich and varied range of habitats within which a wide range of Biology units can be taught including:
- Introduction to ecology and sampling techniques
- Pond comparisons
- "Mark and Recapture" Population studies
- Woodland studies
- Mammal Trapping
- Moth Traps
- Bird Ringing Demonstrations
By travelling further afield within Purbeck the following units can be taught:-
- Vegetation succession at Studland Sand Dunes
- Freshwater ecology at West Mills on the River Piddle
- Marine zonation at Kimmeridge Bay Marine Reserve
- Heathland regeneration in Wareham Forest
- Inter and intra specfic competition and measuring Biomass
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Pond comparison studyCompare biotic and abiotic samples between several ponds within the grounds of Leeson House. Pracise identification skills using dicotomous keys, calcualte diveristy indices and compare energy transfer between each pond.
The Leeson ponds are full of life, often Great Crested Newts can be found.
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Freshwater EcologyComparisons can be made between organisms found in slow and fast moving water. Indicator species are identified and several abiotic factors are recorded such as dissolved oxygen and flow rate.
The River Piddle is a safe river to study with any size group. In recent years, crayfish and marine lampreys have been caught during sampling.
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OCR Practical Skills in BiologyMany groups undertake coursework and their individual tasks while staying at Leeson.
In recent years this has ranged from studying Ranunculus leaf size to occurence of lichen species. We are happy to tailor make every course to the requirements of the school.
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Marine ZonationKimmerdige Bay is one of the best places in the UK to study Marine Ecology. The double low tide each day gives plenty of time to study the lower shore. Popular studies with students include perwinkle occurence and limpet size comparisons.
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Studland Sand Dune SuccessionVisit Studland Sand Dunes to study vegetation succession. Students will carry out interrupted belt transects to investigate the environmental changes and biotic differences across the dunes. Abiotic and biotic data will be collected and groups can then travel the 10 mins back to Leeson House for data analysis.
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