Inspire – HPGE enrichment programs | Field of Mars EEC

High potential and gifted education enrichment programs provide challenging one-day learning opportunities for Stage 2 and Stage 3 students from NSW Department of Education schools.

Led by qualified NSW Department of Education teachers and specialist educators, students extend their creative, intellectual, physical and social–emotional potential through hands-on fieldwork, digital creation, problem-solving and environmental investigation.

Programs are held on selected dates throughout the year at Field of Mars Reserve. Classroom teachers are not required to attend.

Before booking

Inspire HPGE programs are available to NSW Department of Education schools only.

Schools may book a maximum of 12 students per program day.

Places are limited and some programs fill quickly. Please check the remaining places listed below before booking.

Jump to: Nature art and photography | Digital media and storytelling | Science and discovery | Outdoor challenge | Ready to visit?

Nature art and photography

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

A Creative Arts enrichment day where Stage 2–3 students use drawing, natural materials and mixed media to create detailed artworks inspired by bushland.

2026

Term 3 – Week 6 – Tuesday 25th August – capacity 50 students (0 places remaining) – Full

Term 3 – Week 6 – Wednesday 26th August – capacity 50 students (1 place remaining)

iPad showing a close-up photograph of a blue mushroom from the Bush studio photography HPGE enrichment program.

Bush studio photography HPGE enrichment program

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

A Creative Arts enrichment day where Stage 2–3 students use iPads, mirrors, close-up photography and cyanotype-inspired techniques to create experimental nature images.

2026

Term 3 – Week 10 – Monday 21st September – capacity 30 students (21 places remaining)

Student-style vintage kookaburra artwork representing the Junior birder HPGE enrichment program.

Junior birder HPGE enrichment program

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

A Creative Arts and Science and Technology enrichment day where Stage 2–3 students observe birds, record field notes, use identification evidence and create a vintage-style bird artwork.

2026

Term 4 – Week 5 – Monday 9th November – capacity 30 students (30 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 Creative Arts enrichment day where Stage 2–3 students capture, edit and curate nature photographs using composition techniques, digital tools and gallery-style presentation.

2026

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

Digital media and storytelling

iPad showing a colourful butterfly ready to be animated during the Animate HPGE enrichment program.

Animate HPGE enrichment program

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

A Creative Arts enrichment day where Stage 2–3 students transform nature observations into flip-book, 2D and stop-motion animations inspired by local plants, animals and habitats.

2026

Term 4 – Week 5 – Thursday 12th November – capacity 30 students (18 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

An English and Creative Arts enrichment day where Stage 2–3 students plan, film and edit persuasive environmental short films using camera work, sound, text and visual storytelling.

2026

Term 4 – Week 4 – Thursday 5th November – capacity 30 students (14 places remaining)

Science and discovery

Stage 2 and Stage 3 students using iPads and digital pencils to create augmented reality videos about invertebrate features.

Augmented reality studio HPGE enrichment program

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

A Creative Arts and Science and Technology enrichment day where Stage 2–3 students investigate invertebrate features, behaviours and habitats, then create an augmented reality explanation using iPads.

2026

Term 4 – Week 10 – Monday 14th December – capacity 30 students (30 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 Science and Technology enrichment day where Stage 2–3 students investigate invertebrate ecology, adaptations and classification through fieldwork, live specimens and scientific modelling.

2026

Term 4 – Week 7 – Tuesday 24th November – capacity 50 students (29 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 Creative Arts and Science and Technology enrichment day where Stage 2–3 students become field naturalists, photograph specimens, explore colour palettes and create a multi-page digital field guide.

2026

Term 3 – Week 4 – Tuesday 11th August – capacity 30 students (20 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 Science and Technology enrichment day where Stage 2–3 students work in teams to solve a wildlife mystery by analysing clues, field evidence, maps and data.

2026

Term 4 – Week 2Wednesday 21st October – capacity 40 students (30 places remaining)

Outdoor challenge

Compass and cordage materials used during the Adventure club HPGE enrichment program.

Adventure club HPGE enrichment program

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

A Stage 3 PDHPE enrichment day where students build outdoor confidence, teamwork and problem-solving skills through bushcraft, compass use, pacing and a navigation challenge.

2026

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)

Ready to visit?

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

Book now

Book an Inspire HPGE enrichment program with Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre.

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

Learning resources

Access learning resources, social stories and preparation materials that support Field of Mars EEC programs.

Illustration representing native plants, animals, habitats, ecosystems and environments used in Field of Mars EEC fact sheets.

Fact sheets

Explore animal, plant, habitat, ecosystem and environment fact sheets that support HPGE inquiry, fieldwork and creative projects.