During half term, 50 GCSE & A Level Geography students in Years 11-13 travelled to Iceland to learn more about the Land of Ice & Fire. The group visited the fresh lava fields on the Reykjanes Peninsula which were still steaming from last month’s eruption, took a guided walk complete with crampons on the Sólheimajökull glacier, bathed in the geothermal waters at the Blue Lagoon, watched the hot springs erupt at Geysir and marvelled at the majesty of waterfalls at Gulfoss, Skogarfoss and Seljalandsfoss.

Moving indoors, the group visited the Lava Centre, where they engaged with interactive exhibits to better understand why Iceland is such an active geological hotspot. Following a brief lecture at Iceland’s largest geothermal power plant, the group quite literally experienced the fruits of this sustainable energy source in the greenhouses of the Fridheimar Tomato Farm – the tomato soup was delicious and particularly welcome given the snow falling outside! To learn more about this unexpected Icelandic agricultural success, please watch Mr Crosby’s latest explainer using the following link:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBpPdDcCziY.

Prior to the flight home, the group were ‘virtually’ whisked across the Icelandic landscape at the state-of-the-art full motion seating Flyover Iceland experience. With breathtaking views over fjords, glaciers, waterfalls and even flying through a coastal arch, this was a perfect way to end our Icelandic adventure for 2024.

Year 12 students Sarah E and Francesca H commented on their experience:

“Iceland – a place of extreme contrasts and dramatic landscapes. Volcanoes, mountains, waterfalls, glaciers, geysers, hot springs; you name it, Iceland probably has it. We went to investigate, discover, learn and experience the wonders that Iceland has to offer, with the help of an extremely knowledgeable guide – oh, and the teachers of course! Each day was filled with exciting activities, including a visit to a geothermal power plant, a dip in the Blue Lagoon, a hike across a glacier, a walk behind a waterfall, a crossing at the Bridge between Continents, and much more. Being such a dynamic and ever-changing environment, Iceland truly brought our knowledge from textbooks, teachers and theories to life, with active lava fields, melting glaciers and shifting tectonic plates right under our feet. This experience sparked so much curiosity, passion and love for the beautiful place in which we explored, which we dare say, many of us will never forget.”