Blooming Climate Change

Find out what actions can make a difference to climate change!
Make smarter decisions about your actions to become more climate friendly.
Bloom by the BBC, provides information on how you can make a difference.

With thanks to Jo Blackmore for letting me know about this site.

Japan Assignment

Pupils in Year 9 are expected to produce an annotated poster describing and explaining the different physical and human geographical features of Japan for their first major assessment of the year.

• You must produce an A3 poster that has a central map locating the major physical and human geographic features of Japan (Cities, Transport Networks, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas/Oceans, )


• The map must include a key and compass point


• In and around the map, you must write annotations describing the various regions (Include information on climate, soils, relief, industry, famous landmarks, culture etc)


• You must also include pictures of the different things discussed in your annotations e.g a photo of Mt Fiji or the Bullet train
• 
  Remember that you will be levelled for this piece of work so it is important to invest the time and effort. If you need any help it is important to come and see me or your class teacher as soon as possible.

The following sited might help you complete this task:

• Atlapedia
  
• Wikipedia
  
• Japan National Tourist Organisation
  
• Japan Guide
  
• Japan Information Network
  
• Kids Web Japan
  
• The World Factbook

Westfield Shopping Mall, London

A brand new shopping mall has opened in London on October 30th 2008.

The shopping mall is called Westfield London. It is an innovative and dynamic place for a new generation of consumer to shop, to eat, and to meet.
Aspirational, yet inclusive, it is an architecturally stunning showcase for 5 anchor stores: Debenhams, Next, Marks and Spencer, House of Fraser, Waitrose and over 265 luxury, premium and high street retailers from more than 15 different countries.

Use the following links to read up on it.

• Westfield London
• Westfield.com
• Visit London
• Property week
• Bloomberg
• Wikipedia
• Economic Times
• Building
• Drapers
• Home Move

Consider the factors that led to the development of this retail centre at this particular site.

What services does the centre provide?

Who might use the centre?

Who will benefit or suffer as a result of this development?

How sustainable is the development?

What type of company is Westfield? How do you know? What does this mean?

Climate Change In Our World

There is a really good video here on the causes and impacts of climate change called 'Change in Our World'. It is the product of a unique collaboration between DFID, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Met Office Hadley Centre, the British Antarctic Survey and Google. There is also a new vision on climate change provided by google earth here.

Thanks to Rob Chambers for the handy tip.

Aberystwyth University Sponsorship

I would just like to thank the Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences at Aberystwyth University (in particular Dr John Grattan) for their kind help in sponsoring the Geography department at BHS. It is greatly appreciated and we look forward to further enhancing the links between secondary and tertiary education.

Dr John Grattan visited BHS on October 9th 2008 and spoke to geography pupils from Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13. It was a very inspiring talk and I know many pupils are considering taking their Geography studies further as a result. We look forward to further visits.