Please note this course has been postponed until later in 2021. Date TBC. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Doing an expedition, dissertation research or GCSE/A level/University field teaching?
You'll need to measure stuff. Scientific sensors are usually very expensive and may not measure what you want to but these days you can build your own using open-source hardware and software. Come and learn how to implement field research involving low-cost sensors using the freestation.org approach.
This field practical is for those who attended the online course via Zoom on 24 March 2021 or are already familiar with Freestation sensors.
About this course
This is a one-day field course in the Thames Estuary where you will be able to use a range of kit (built by us) for some monitoring in the real world (mudflats, salmarsh, hillslope and woodland) as well as have our input on what you have built, and do some hands on assembly of a range of sensors.
Building your own field sensors and data loggers for environmental fieldwork using low-cost hardware (Arduino and Particle micro-processors) and open source software (FreeStation), enables you to undertake projects at a fraction on the cost of conventional monitoring instruments. The techniques covered are applicable to any kind of environmental or geographical fieldwork. We will also cover use of low cost sensors in field research and teaching.
We will also take the opportunity for a walk and talk to find out more about the environment, development, conservation, geomorphology, and history of the Thames Estuary at Chalkwell, Leigh on Sea, Hadleigh Castle and Canvey Island.
This course is suitable for GCSE, A Level and university teachers as well as academic researchers and research students.
The number of participants is limited to max. 30, COVID-19 regulations dependent. Total walking max. 6 miles, mostly on flat terrain.
Programme
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10:00 Arrive at Chalkwell station and walk to Chalkwell Beach
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10:00-12:00 Monitoring the meteorological, saltmarsh, beach and built environment with a range of DIY, low cost sensors (soil moisture, microclimate, albedo, wind, water temperature, LIDAR, GPS, water quality)
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12:00-13:00 Lunch (bring your own)
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13:00-15:00 Practical: assembling a range of sensors
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Practical: assembling and using a range of sensors
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Practical: assembling and using a range of IoT connected sensors
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Installing and using the FreeStation and FreeStationLive designs
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Challenges in the field
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Ask the experts and check your sensor
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15:00-16:30 Geography of the Thames Estuary
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Leigh on Sea and 1953 Flood mark
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Cockle fishing industry
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The salt-marsh environment
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Hadleigh Castle: history, landslides, coastal land reclamation
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Canvey island, flooding and flood protection
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Energy, water, food and transport provision by the Thames Estuary: past, present and future
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16:30 Return to Leigh on Sea station
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17:00 Return home from Leigh on sea station
Course leader
Course leader Mark Mulligan is Professor of Physical and Environmental Geography at King’s College London with a special interest in field research, simulation modelling and remote sensing. He has led field teaching and research programmes throughout Europe, Latin America and South-east Asia. Mark is also a honorary fellow at the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC).