Off to the mountains and experience theory live! This was the motto under which the advanced geography course at Johannes-Brenz-Gemeinschaftsschule, together with the two teachers, Ms. Hentschel and Ms. Jährling, set off for Berchtesgaden on 12 July 2024. The four-day excursion focused on the topics relevant to the Abitur and served to deepen and repeat the subject input at school.
“The water has enormous power! Now I understand the erosive effect much better!” – said one student on the very first day. Immediately after check-in at Berchtesgaden Youth Hostel, the hiking boots were packed and off they went to the Almbachklamm gorge. During the hike through the Almbachklamm gorge, the students were able to experience the formation of shapes by flowing water for themselves. Their previous knowledge about the formation of gorges finally became tangible and tangible.
We set off on the second day with our two 9-seater buses to Königssee in glorious weather. But our destination wasn’t touristy St. Bartholomä – for us geographers we went to the end of the Königssee to the Salet terminus. There we crossed the terminal moraine wall of the last ice age and finally reached the fantastic panorama with a view of the Obersee. Here, too, the theory was brought to life in perfection: photos were taken with the tablets and the shape of the valley was traced and defined in more detail. The day’s expert group provided the necessary background information. But that was not all: we hiked around the Obersee up to the foot of the largest waterfall, which supplies the Obersee with melt and rain water from the mountains.
One highlight followed the next when we set off for Werfen early in the morning the next day to visit the largest ice cave in Europe. Drenched in sweat but overjoyed, we reached the entrance to the ice cave after a steep climb including a short cable car ride. We started at over 20 degrees and arrived below freezing – a challenge for our hiking gear. We crossed the ice cave with carbitlamps, climbed 1400 steps and were amazed. Here too, theoretical knowledge was translated into practice and emotions. A small group of tireless schoolgirls did not stay in the hostel late in the afternoon to rest before dinner, but accompanied Ms. Jährling to the Hintersee. They also marveled at the fluvial formations and the unique flora and fauna.
On the last day of the geography excursion, we visited the salt mines in Hallein and were able to refresh and expand our knowledge of the formation and extraction of salt deposits. Full of positive experiences, unique memories and feelings of happiness, we set off on our journey home. The excursion had achieved its goal. The students of the advanced course were able to deepen their knowledge of subjects relevant to the Abitur and link these with positive emotions and experiences in the long term, so that a big step towards learning for the Abitur has already been taken. Everyone also improved their social skills. They were motivated to keep hiking, they overcame their fear of heights as a team and, despite aching legs, they fought to reach their common goal. No one was left behind and everyone was accepted and embraced for who they are. This is community school – learning with head, heart and hand.
