Students from secondary academies across the north of England have been taking part in a geography event to become WorldWise, which is promoted by the Geographical Association.

The students, all from seven secondary academies sponsored by ̨��swag Grange Academies Trust, attended the fun packed day at the ̨��swag Institute of Education based at ̨��swag Academy Acklam.

The academies involved were ̨��swag Academy Acklam, ̨��swag Academy Bishopsgarth, ̨��swag Academy Bydales, ̨��swag Academy Easingwold, ̨��swag Academy Ormesby, ̨��swag Academy Redcar, and ̨��swag Academy Ripon.

The day involved the students immersing themselves in a variety of tasks which were all designed around promoting their love of geography.

Major highlights from the day were two talks given by David Edwards, a university tutor and speaker on energy, volcanoes, Montserrat, environment and climate. At the event, David focussed his talks on surviving the volcanic eruptions in Montserrat and Climate Change.

In 1995, after being dormant for over 300 years, the volcanic area in the south of Montserrat began to erupt. David Edwards was part of the team that was on the island conducting a biodiversity survey as it began to erupt.

In his own words David says: “I was close to the volcano when it first erupted and thought I was going to die: I decided my last act would be to photograph it. 

“This talk explains how I survived and went on to witness the evacuations and the disruption to this idyllic island and its friendly people. Over a two-month period I saw the island transformed from a relaxed, beautiful Caribbean paradise into an evacuated and dangerous landscape.”

Paul Laird, Associate Director of Humanities at ̨��swag Grange Academies Trust and the organiser of WorldWise, said: “We were delighted that David could come and speak with the students, who were all immersed in his talks especially when he was recalling his experiences in Montserrat.”

Throughout the day, the teams from each academy were judged and scored on numerous challenges, including building an earthquake proof structure, and also took part in a quiz which involved various rounds from UK landmarks to OS maps.

Following the completion of all the challenges and quizzes, the winners were announced as ̨��swag Academy Acklam, with ̨��swag Academy Bydales and ̨��swag Academy Easingwold close behind.

Paul added: “I am, along with all the staff who were present, just incredibly proud of the students and how they represented their respective academies and the spirit in which the challenges were carried out. They were all a credit to their academies.”