Inspire | High potential and gifted education enrichment programs | HPGE | Field of Mars EEC

Our High Potential and Gifted Education programs provide challenging one-day enrichment opportunities for primary students through creative, scientific, physical and inquiry-based learning. Each workshop extends student thinking through hands-on fieldwork, digital creation, problem-solving and authentic environmental investigation in Field of Mars Reserve.

Led by specialist teachers from Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre and other subject experts, these curriculum-aligned programs support students to develop their intellectual, creative, social-emotional and physical potential. Programs are held on selected dates throughout the year and do not require classroom teachers to attend.

HPGE programs are only available to NSW Department of Education schools. Maximum 12 students per school per day.

Students will use compasses and make cordage during the adventure club program.

Adventure club HPGE enrichment program

Stage 3 PDHPE | HPGE domains: physical, social-emotional, intellectual

A high-energy bushcraft and navigation enrichment day where students build teamwork, problem-solving and outdoor skills. Students establish a minimal-impact basecamp, practise compass bearings and pacing, then complete a navigation challenge in Field of Mars Reserve.

2026

Term 2 - Week 9 - Tuesday 16th June - capacity 30 students (0 places remaining) - Full

Term 3 - Week 7 - Tuesday 1st September - capacity 30 students (0 places remaining) - Full

Term 4 - Week 3 - Monday 26th October (new date) - capacity 30 students (11 places remaining)

An iPad showing a colourful butterfly ready to be animated, symbolising the Animate HPGE digital animation enrichment program

Animate HPGE enrichment program

Stage 2–3 Creative Arts | HPGE domains: creative, intellectual

A digital animation enrichment day where students transform nature observations into flip-book, 2D and stop-motion animations. Students develop visual storytelling, sequencing and digital creativity while creating animated works inspired by Field of Mars Reserve.

2026

Term 4 - Date coming soon

Paintbrushes and art tools laid out on a table, ready to be used to create nature-inspired artworks in the Bush studio HPGE enrichment program

Bush studio HPGE enrichment program

Stage 2–3 Creative Arts | HPGE domains: creative, intellectual

An art studio experience using natural materials, drawing and mixed media to create detailed artworks based on local bushland, extending students’ observational, compositional and creative thinking skills.

2026

Term 3 - Week 6 - Tuesday 25th August - capacity 50 students (8 places remaining)

Term 3 - Week 6 - Wednesday 26th August - capacity 50 students (2 places remaining)

An iPad featuring a macro photograph of a blue mushroom taken by a student, showcasing close-up photography from the Bush studio photography HPGE program

Bush studio photography HPGE enrichment program

Stage 2–3 Creative Arts | HPGE domains: creative, intellectual

A creative arts enrichment day where students learn to use iPad cameras as a creative tool. Students will explore cyanotype printing, use of mirrors to alter images and create digital artworks.

2026

Term 3 - Week 10 - Monday 21st September - capacity 50 students (42 places remaining)

An iPad screen displaying a movie editing app timeline, representing filmmaking and editing skills developed in the Cinematographer HPGE enrichment program

Cinematographer HPGE enrichment program

Stage 2–3 English and Creative Arts | HPGE domains: creative, intellectual

A filmmaking enrichment day where students plan, film and edit persuasive environmental short films. Students use iPads to develop camera work, sound, text, transitions and visual storytelling while crafting a message about the value of nature.

2026

Term 2 - Week 4 - Thursday 14th May - capacity 40 students (10 places remaining)

A beetle puppet in a ground-cover habitat beside a magnifying glass, symbolising invertebrate investigations in the Entomologist HPGE enrichment program

Entomologist HPGE enrichment program

Stage 2–3 Science and Technology | HPGE domains: creative, intellectual

A hands-on science enrichment day where students investigate invertebrate ecology, adaptations and classification. Students collect field data, examine live specimens, use scientific vocabulary and create a detailed framed model to communicate their findings.

2026

Term 2 - Week 4 - Wednesday 13th May - capacity 60 students (21 places remaining)

Term 4 - Week 7 - Tuesday 24th November - capacity 60 students (40 places remaining)

Students create a digital nature journal while participating in the Field guide HPGE enrichment program.

Field guide HPGE enrichment program

Stage 2–3 Creative Arts and Science and Technology | HPGE domains: creative, intellectual

A nature journaling and digital art enrichment day where students become field naturalists and visual communicators. Students observe living and non-living features, photograph details, draw with Procreate and create a multi-page digital field guide.

2026

Term 2 - Week 10 - Tuesday 23rd June - capacity 30 students (2 places remaining)

An animal skull on a rock being examined with a magnifying glass, illustrating students investigating wildlife clues in the Mystery HPGE enrichment program

Mystery HPGE enrichment program

Stage 2–3 Science and Technology | HPGE domains: intellectual, social-emotional

A forensic-style environmental investigation where students work in teams to solve a wildlife mystery. Students follow clues, analyse field evidence, interpret maps and data, then present an evidence-based scientific argument.

2026

Term 2 - Week 7 - Thursday 4th June - capacity 40 students (3 places remaining)

Term 4 - Week 2 - Wednesday 21st October - capacity 40 students (32 places remaining)

A close-up photo of a blue-tongue lizard displayed on an iPad, showcasing nature photography from the Photographer HPGE enrichment program

Photographer HPGE enrichment program

Stage 2–3 Creative Arts | HPGE domains: creative, intellectual

A digital photography enrichment day where students capture and edit striking nature photographs while learning professional composition techniques, then curate a digital portfolio and create a framed gallery-quality print.

2026

Term 2 - Week 11 - Tuesday 30th June (new date) - capacity 50 students (50 places remaining)

Term 4 - Week 10 - Tuesday 15th December - capacity 50 students (50 places remaining)

Ready to visit?

An iPad showing the Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre HPGE booking form

Book now

Book an HPGE program now using our online booking form.

An iPad showing a digital learning resource for students and teachers that supports HPGE enrichment programs

Learning resources

Find digital learning resources, social stories and excursion preparation materials.

Explore high potential and gifted education (HPGE) enrichment programs at Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre in East Ryde, Sydney. Our primary HPGE programs in science, visual arts, photography, digital technologies and creative writing challenge high potential students through nature-based fieldwork, digital storytelling and gallery-quality artworks in Field of Mars Reserve bushland, aligned with NSW curriculum outcomes and the NSW Department of Education HPGE policy.

Flora and fauna fact sheets

Read our animal, plant and habitat fact sheets for use in the classroom or at home.