A Wild Day at the Coast: Year 12 Biologists Explore St. Mary’s Lighthouse

This summer term, our enthusiastic Year 12 Biologists embraced the great outdoors with a hands-on ecological field trip to St. Mary’s Lighthouse in Whitley Bay.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Northumberland coastline, the students took part in a full day of ecological sampling, combining scientific learning with real-world application.

Discovering the Coastal Ecosystem Guided by expert Samantha Levy from St. Mary’s Lighthouse and Visitor Centre, the students waded into the complex and fascinating world of our local marine environment. They examined how biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors influence biodiversity across different coastal zones, particularly focusing on the differences between sheltered and exposed shorelines.

The girls undertook two key investigations to apply their learning:

1. Seaweed Distribution in the Intertidal Zone In the first investigation, the students explored how the distribution of seaweed changes across the intertidal zone — the area between the high and low tide marks. Differentiating among species of brown seaweed proved a challenging task, but our budding biologists rose to the occasion, identifying bladder wrack, spiral wrack, channel wrack, and even kelp with impressive confidence and accuracy.

2. Limpet Distribution on Different Shorelines Their second investigation focused on comparing limpet populations on exposed versus sheltered shores. Using quadrats and transect lines, the students conducted systematic ecological sampling to record how these hardy molluscs vary across habitats. This practical experience deepened their understanding of ecological field methods and population dynamics.

The day was not all data collection and analysis — there was plenty of excitement too! The students caught glimpses of vibrant coastal life, including starfish, edible crabs, and a lively collection of shrimp, adding a touch of wonder to the scientific work. Gratitude and Reflection

We are deeply grateful to Samantha Levy for her engaging guidance and for sharing her expertise with our students. Her passion for marine biology brought the lessons to life and provided an unforgettable learning experience.

Overall, the trip to St. Mary’s Lighthouse was a perfect blend of education and exploration — a day of fresh air, scientific discovery, and unforgettable memories for our Year 12 Biologists