In early May, a group of enthusiastic Form 11 students from Biology, Geography, and ESS set off for the Sierra de Gredos in Spain with data booklets in hand, waterproofs packed and scientific curiosity well intact despite a gloomy weather forecast.
 
Over four days, students took part in a truly hands-on interdisciplinary programme that included freshwater surveys, meadowland and woodland transects, footpath erosion studies and rural settlement study. The weather, true to mountainous nature, treated us to generous servings of cold temperatures and rain. But nothing (not the downpours, muddy trails, or a surprise pack of wild horses) dampened our spirits or stop the students from collecting meaningful field data. We are pleased to report that the wild horses, donkeys and cows were uninterested in IB coursework.
 
ESS and Biology students persevered with wet quadrats and soggy sampling sheets, calculating biodiversity indices and environmental quality measures with admirable determination. They also honed their species identification skills with dichotomous keys. Geography students conducted real-world environmental quality surveys in two charming mountain towns and went waist-deep into a local river. A little bit of archery was a fun reward and some new talents, undoubtedly, have come to light.
 
Throughout the trip, the students were a credit to the school: engaged, resilient and consistently excellent in behaviour. The Gredos staff commented on their respectful attitude and focus despite the persistent drizzle and heavy data collection as well as processing workload, often going beyond 7pm.
 
A special thanks goes to the staff who supported the trip and made the science behind the scenery come alive. The experience will no doubt shape both students’ understanding of fieldwork and serve as a build on to their developing IB learner profile qualities.