Last Wednesday, August 11th the Year 12 & 13 geography students travelled down to Franz Josef for a fluvial research study on the Waiho River. The purpose of the trip was to discover if there were physical changes in the characteristics of the river at 3 different sites. Students were focusing on understanding and explaining river processes and how they change through time and place. 

On our journey down we managed to get some great views of the Southern Alps in between breaks in the clouds. At the river students measured sediment type and size, river velocity, gradient of the river channel and the general topography of the river bed. We were grateful to be given access to the braided channels of the lower reaches of the Waiho by 'Dave the Farmer' (see the photo of Hayden giving him a gift), which was significantly different to the upper sections closer to the Franz Josef Glacier. We discovered that the river velocity and gradient were faster and steeper (respectively) at the upper reaches of the river, and the sediment was more angular and larger.

Students completed all their own research in groups and worked hard to ensure we had enough time to visit the local 'Full of Beans' cafe and help the local economy a little. 

As a teacher I was impressed with our students' motivation to complete the research in their groups, their kindness to one another (generously buying food for each other), supporting each other through the gathering of data and the singing abilities in the van. There were some noticeable raps which, although not strictly geography related, helped with the driving. 

All in all, it was an enjoyable trip, and for me personally a real pleasure to get out of the classroom to do some 'real' geography.

- Mr Adams