Education Today Education Today Magazine
The British Army’s free platform, British Army Supporting Education (BASE) has launched a new innovative free geography resource; Applying Geographic Skills, designed to immerse secondary school students into the role of an Army Geographic Technician.
The resource showcases the diverse skills involved in a day in the life of the British Army and provides teachers with an exciting way to teach geography that captivates students.
The Applying Geographic Skills resource provides an in-depth look into the diverse roles within the British Army that utilise geographic skills, from logistics to strategic planning, broadening students’ understanding of how geography is applied in different careers. By presenting geography in the context of real-world Army scenarios, this innovative resource offers teachers an exciting way to make geography lessons captivating and relevant for students aged 11–16.
With robust curriculum links, the resource addresses a critical need in the education sector. A recent study by the Geographical Association (2024) reveals that 70% of UK teachers need more accessible and high-quality resources to effectively deliver the geography curriculum. Furthermore, 48% of teachers report their workload as unmanageable most or all of the time (Engineering UK, 2023), underscoring the necessity for additional support and innovative teaching materials in geography education.
The new resource introduces students to essential geographic skills in data, map, and GIS analysis. In one of the featured activities, students work to analyse a range of data to determine a location for a Forward Operating Base (FOB). The resource includes two 45-minute lessons and a 60-minute session with presentations and worksheets, with activity options and extensions for KS4.
The British Army’s free platform, British Army Supporting Education, is a one-stop shop of award-winning resources available to support teachers. It offers engaging, curriculum-led resources and the ability to organise inspiring workshops, work experiences, and career development services.
The Applying Geographic Skills resource is now available for free on the BASE website here. You can also explore their full range of resources, covering leadership, mental wellbeing, character education, employability skills, STEM, and key calendar moments such as Black History Month, Remembrance, and VE Day on their lesson library here. With these supportive educational resources, the British Army positively impacts the educational experience of young people and empowers them for the future.
