Post by Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet

Year 12 Geographers Inspired by UCL Visit - Our Year 12 Geography students recently visited the UCL Department for Risk and Disaster Reduction for an inspiring afternoon exploring how geographical research is helping to tackle some of the world's biggest challenges. The visit began with a tour of UCL's campus, followed by an insightful Q&A with Old Elizabethan Hamza Mohamed, now studying Medicine at UCL, who shared his experiences of university life and offered advice on the application process. Students then met leading researchers from across the department, learning about climate change, disaster resilience, humanitarian studies and water security. Highlights included a fascinating lecture from Dr Ting Sun on urban heat islands and the use of AI and climate modelling to create more sustainable cities, alongside a practical investigation into freshwater salinisation led by Dr Mohammad Shamsudduha (Shams). The visit also introduced students to UCL's innovative Global Humanitarian Studies degree and the wide range of careers available in tackling global challenges. As Dr Shamsudduha reminded our students: "The world is facing multiple crises and needs people who can work across disciplines and think in new ways to solve those problems." Experiences like these bring A Level Geography to life, showing students how the topics they study in the classroom can make a real impact on communities around the world. Reflecting on the visit, Anne Macdonald commented: "These themes are central to our A Level Geography curriculum, particularly in the topics of Water Cycle and Water Insecurity, Carbon Cycle and Energy Security, and Health, Human Rights and Intervention, as well as through our enrichment programme. It is essential that students consider questions such as: How do my actions impact the world? How will societies of the future function in the face of challenges such as climate change and inequality? How can I prepare to make a positive contribution? Experiences like this encourage our students to develop the confidence, ability and responsibility to shape a more sustainable future." Thank you to Dr Mohammad Shamsudduha and the team at UCL for an engaging and thought-provoking afternoon. #Geography #ALevels #SustainabilityLiterate #Environment #FreeThinkingScholarship #YouthEmploymentWeek #QEFutures