Field Studies
A range of fieldwork can be undertaken which allows students to learn about the north of Thailand as well as to cover skills and content dictated by the examination syllabuses.
We offer field studies in biology, business studies and economics, geography, and history.
Numerous groups have come to the MRVR over the years mainly from senior school years, but also of middle and primary school age. The field studies cover the requirements for GCSE and IGCSE, AS Level and also the I.B. Almost 20 groups from China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand regularly come to undertake field work.
Fieldwork can be undertaken in Chiang Mai as well as at the MRVR and programmes will be tailor-made to suit the visiting school.
The field study programmes are carefully designed and adjusted to the needs, the age and the abilities of visiting students. All materials and equipment are provided and the fieldwork is led by experienced teachers, often assisted by recently qualified post-graduates from the U.K.
Most visiting schools also allow some ‘downtime’ for the students and fun evening activities can be arranged, as well as any other outdoor activities we offer. This is a great way to provide a nice alternative and break from the academic studies, as well as a useful ‘carrot’.
Biology
A number of studies are available, some of which are a development of bio-geographical studies. These studies can be carried out at GCSE and IB / AS level. Below is a list of the type of fieldwork on offer, and the aim and nature of each:
Multi-habitat sampling on the Mae Ai or Mae Saeow Rivers - The aim of this work is to assess the biodiversity of macro-invertebrates in various habitats, OR to study the factors which affect the habitat distribution of one or two species.
Soil studies: impact of different types of agriculture - Studies of the quality of soils where different farm methods are practised can show the impact that these practices have on soils and hence the environment.
Soil studies: impact of shifting cultivation - The effect of shifting cultivation on soils can be assessed by studying the soil quality at different stages of the shifting ‘cycle’. The Chi Square Test is applied to statistically test the degree of difference between soil types.
Vegetation studies: The impact of altitude on vegetation - Thailand’s second highest mountain (at 2285 m) is less than an hour away. Vegetation changes from sub-tropical forest to cloud forest, passing through three other vegetation types. Vehicular access is available up to 1900 m.
Economics and Business Studies
Studies here involve groups visiting both Chiang Mai as well as Thaton and the surrounding area. Themes include ‘Doing Business in Chiang Mai’, ‘The Nature, Impact and Sustainability of Tourism’, ‘Indicators of Development’, ‘The Impact of Small Scale Development Projects’.
The fieldwork is designed and led by Bryan Massingham, who taught Economics in the UK and Hong Kong.
Click here to view a typical programme.
Geography
The centre offers a wide range of field study options covering human, physical, applied and environmental geography. Whilst most field studies are centred here in and around Thaton, we also provide urban-based field studies in the city of Chiang Mai.
Click here to view the various options.
History and Culture
The Kuomingtang in Thailand, the Cold War and the Vietnam War
The area has a long and rich history but the most recent history with its broader relevance provides an interesting study. This is based around the Chinese settlements of the region which largely comprise ex-Kuomintang and whose ‘personal’ history is not only linked with events in China in the 1940’s, but also with the Cold War and the Vietnam War. There are still several old KMT soldiers still alive who provide interesting personal stories of their experiences, as well as other forms of evidence of how this area was caught up in the tumultuous period of the 1940’s to 1970’s, and the subsequent impacts.
Students visit one of the best known Nationalist Chinese villages in the north and carry out a variety of tasks which lead them to an understanding of why there are Chinese villages in this area of Thailand. This would include interviews with one or two of the old soldiers still living and their descendants. This naturally develops into discussions of the founding of modern China and the war which led up to it, as well as the Cold War period and the Vietnam War in which Thailand played an important element.
Comparative hilltribe culture
A variety of studies are undertaken. These range from more simple ‘look-see’ where students do a study of life in a hill village compared to their own (suitable for younger students) through to a more demanding comparative study of different hill tribes. Here, for example, students can be divided up and visit three different hilltribes and through directed observation and questioning, discover the background and socio-cultural characteristics and way of life of the different groups. The groups then present their findings to the rest of the group in a variety of ways.