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Keeping this Hill Alive
Until new tutors have been recruited we are only offering chemistry courses at A level. All our tutors are volunteers See the box on the EHFSA page

A Level Geology
Activity Day

General

Geology Workshops

Please read these summaries before filling in the form to request a booking for your group. Note that most groups wish to visit the mine, in Salt’s Level, which takes about 1 hour. The mine visit features in most of the workshops, either to test hypotheses set up on the surface, or to gather data. Once you have agreed your itinerary with the EHFSA, you will need to download the sheets for the appropriate workshops Click on the brown links below. At the very minimum, sufficient student sheets should be printed for members of the party covering the topics chosen for the day’s visit.  

GW1: Investigating the Structure of Ecton Hill

Students investigate the remarkable geological structures at Apes Tor then analyse and evaluate their data.  They continue to study the structures on the Hill and within Salt’s Level.  At home, they write a plan for further investigations that could be carried out on, and under Ecton Hill. This activity covers all of the requirements for an assessed investigation.  

GW1: Investigating the Structure of Ecton Hill

GW1 SS1 Map of Ecton Hill and the mines

GW1 SS2 Investigating the Section at Apes Tor

GW1 SS3 Standard Deviation - Note for Students

GW IS3 The Roadside Section below Apes Tor

GW IS6(C6) Salt’s Level Base Map

 W IS7(C7) Salt’s Level Geological Details  

GW2: Modelling Primary Mineralisation

Students calculate the concentration factor for the copper ores at Ecton. Tutors illustrate the processes by which mineral deposits have been formed, using practical demonstrations. These model the flow of fluids within a mineralising environment and show how crystallisation occurs in a solution, as the temperature of the solution decreases. During the mine visit, students look  for evidence of the origin of ores in the mine.

GW2: Modelling Primary Mineralisation

GW2 SS1 Modelling Primary Mineralisation

GW IS2 List of Minerals Recorded at Ecton

GW IS6(C6) Salt’s Level Base Map

W IS7(C7) Salt’s Level Geological Details  

GW3: Investigating Secondary Mineralization

Students learn, or revise, how to identify the primary and secondary minerals, that have been found in the Ecton mines. Tutors discuss the effect of air and water on primary minerals and how the position of the water table is relevant in these reactions. During the mine visit, students look for minerals resulting from such reactions.

GW3: Investigating Secondary Mineralization

GW3 SS1 Investigating Secondary Mineralisation

GW IS2 List of Minerals Recorded at Ecton

GW IS6(C6) Salt’s Level Base Map

W IS7(C7) Salt’s Level Geological Details  

GW4: Limestone Weathering in Ecton Mine

This is a short exercise, which revises the chemistry of solution of limestone and its subsequent deposition in the form of stalactites and stalagmites, or, in the case of deposits in the Ecton mines, as flowstone.  The formation of limestone may be included in this exercise.

GW4 Limestone Weathering in Ecton Mine

GW4 SS1 Limestone Weathering in Ecton Mine

GW IS6(C6) Salt’s Level Base Map

W IS7(C7) Salt’s Level Geological Details

GW5: Investigating the Engineering Geology of Ecton

This exercise integrates well with GW1. In addition to the structural investigations, students measure the compressibility of the limestone, using a Schmidt hammer. The data collected are used to calculate the likely “stand-up time” of an unsupported tunnel in the Ecton mine.

GW5: Investigating the Engineering Geology of Ecton

GW5 SS1 Investigating the Engineering Geology of Ecton

GW IS6(C6) Salt’s Level Base Map

W IS7(C7) Salt’s Level Geological Details

GW6: A mine in a National Park—Environmental Issues

This is a follow-up sheet for School use and outlines the things that students might look for while visiting Ecton or could be applied to well-known mine sites during follow-up work at school.

GW6: A mine in a National Park—Environmental Issues

GW7: What makes an Ore Deposit Worth Working?

Mixtures of minerals are separated using simple techniques based on density differences and which model the buddles and jigs once used at Ecton.  Students discuss the impact of technological change, the demand for copper and world copper markets to decide whether or not a deposit is worth mining. Will Parys mountain in Anglesey reopen?

GW7: What makes an Ore Deposit Worth Working?

GW7 SS1 What makes an Ore Deposit Worth Working  

GW8: Prospecting for Minerals by Soil Sampling

Students are asked to plot given values of copper and lead concentrations on a map of an imaginary area.  They draw contours of equal concentration and then assess the resultant patterns.

GW8: Prospecting for Minerals by Soil Sampling

GW8 SS1 Prospecting for Minerals by Soil Sampling

GW9:Specialist Workshops, led by University Departments

Geophysical exercises on Ecton Hill  - under development.

GW9: Specialist Workshops, led by University Departments

Activities at Ecton - DOCUMENTATION

AL Geology Curriculum Activities concentrate on field work techniques, mineralisation and engineering geology. They can be tailored to the needs of different specifications, on request and there is scope for teachers to assess fieldwork as part of the coursework requirements.

Duration

A typical day includes examination of, and taking measurements on, the spectacular folding by the roadside, at the base of Ecton Hill. This is followed by an underground visit where the exercise is continued. There are other options which may be selected and all the possibilities are found in Geology Workshops.

Cost

The cost for all these one day activities (running from around 10.00 am until 4.00 or 4.30 pm) is £10 per student, subject to a minimum charge of £100 per group. There is no charge for the statutory number of school staff, required by the school or regulations, who accompany the pupil group. Any additional adults will be charged at the same day rate as the pupils (£10 pp). The number of additional adults should be entered in the booking form and the booking form calculates the total charge as the numbers are entered.

Discuss your visit

If you would like to discuss your proposed visit before booking, contact Susan Wilkinson to discuss your requirements on:
swilkin7999@gmail.com          01732 456997

 

Booking your visit

Step 1:

Choose a date for the visit by going to the Ecton Availability calendar. (Use the "back" button to return here.)

Step 2

Choose your Geology option (and possible extension).

Step 3

Complete the Activity Booking Request Form (Google Form).

Step 4:

If Tutors are available, your request will be entered in the booking system and you will be contacted shortly thereafter to confirm the booking and to give you the names and contact details of your Tutors

Step 5

Make sure you read the document: Essential Information for AL Geology Activities. This gives all the details you need to prepare for your visit. You do need to complete the Visitor Information Form. You may also need a copy of the Risk Analysis and the Insurance Certificate.  We would also appreciate a completed Visit to Ecton Feedback Form. Download from Activities at Ecton - DOCUMENTATION on the right.

The Ecton Experience

To get a taste of the "Ecton Experience", click on the pictures below to get 1 minute videos of activities during a typical AL Geology Day. (The video will play on U-Tube.)  Thanks to David Webb, Peter Neville and Wolverhampton Girl's School.