Program overview
Augmented Reality Studio is a one-day Stage 2 and Stage 3 Creative Arts and Science and Technology HPGE enrichment program at Field of Mars Reserve where students investigate invertebrates in bushland habitats and use digital technologies to create an augmented reality science explanation. Students work as field scientists, artists and digital creators as they observe small animals, examine their external features and behaviours, collect evidence about how they live in different habitats, and consider how body structures, movement, colour, shelter, food and behaviour support survival. Using Field of Mars EEC iPads, digital pencils, drawing and augmented reality apps, students create a detailed digital invertebrate artwork and bring it to life through narration, movement and video. HPGE domains: creative, intellectual.
A Stage 3 school incursion version of this program, AR adaptations, is also available.
Learning intentions
- We are learning to investigate invertebrates and explain how their features, behaviours and habitats support survival.
- We are learning to use observation, evidence and scientific vocabulary to communicate ideas.
- We are learning to use digital drawing, narration and augmented reality to create a multimodal science explanation.
Essential information
Cost, risk assessment and details
Cost |
$60 per student - GST free This will be processed through the student's home school. This program is only available to NSW Department of Education school students. |
Dates |
Available dates |
Times |
9.15 – Drop off 2.15 – Pick up |
Risk assessment |
Field of Mars Reserve risk assessment - main location |
Transport |
Schools are required to organise transport for students to and from the location. No vehicles are permitted into Field of Mars Reserve. |
Staff |
Teachers are not required to attend but are welcome. |
Student selection |
Maximum 12 students per school per day. When choosing your students, remember the program takes place indoors, outdoors and in public spaces. Students may be near creeks and bushland tracks. While EEC teachers supervise them all day, consider if they’ll need SLSO or teacher support to stay safe. |
Bring |
Sports uniform, backpack, medication, low-waste food, water bottle, sunblock, raincoat, hat, sturdy shoes, reusable name tag. |
View |
Preparing for your excursion |
Welfare |
Participants will be walking during the day on an accessible boardwalk. Wheelchair accessible. May not suit recently unwell participants. For medical or special needs notify staff prior to program. |
Extreme or wet weather |
Program may be modified, postponed or cancelled due to predicted extreme temperatures, bush fire danger, heavy rainfall, high winds or dust storms. |
Booking policy |
Confirm student details 7 days in advance. |
Cancellation fee |
Less than 4 weeks notice – full cost Weather or fire danger cancellation – $0 |
Activities
Invertebrate fieldwork
Students explore Field of Mars Reserve to investigate invertebrates and the places they live. They search for small animals in leaf litter, bark, soil, logs and vegetation, then record observations about shelter, food, camouflage, movement and behaviour.
Students compare different habitats and use evidence to explain why particular invertebrates may be found in particular places. They consider how external features and behaviours help small animals move, feed, hide, sense their environment and avoid predators.
Digital specimen
Students use Field of Mars EEC iPads and digital pencils to create a detailed scientific artwork of an invertebrate. They observe body shape, legs, antennae, wings, colour, texture, segments and other visible features, then use labels and annotations to explain how these features may support survival.
Students refine their digital specimen using composition, scale, detail and scientific vocabulary. The artwork becomes the central visual element for their augmented reality explanation.
Augmented reality studio
Students use augmented reality and video apps to transform their digital specimen into a multimodal science explanation. They write a short script, record narration, add movement and combine visual effects with scientific information.
Students explain where their invertebrate lives, what features and behaviours it has, and how these may help it survive in its environment.
Completed videos and digital drawings will be shared back to school via Google Drive.
This program is only available to NSW Department of Education schools.
Timetable
Time |
Activities |
| 9.15 | Arrival |
| 9.30 - 10.15 | Invertebrate fieldwork |
| 10.15 - 10.30 | Recess |
| 10.30 - 12.00 | Digital specimen |
| 12.00 - 12.30 | Lunch |
| 12.30 - 2.00 | Augmented reality studio |
| 2.15 | Depart |
Tier 2 and 3 vocabulary
Syllabus outcomes and content
Syllabus outcomes and content Stage 2
Creative Arts K-6 Syllabus (2024)
Visual Arts
Outcome
- makes artworks using art forms to represent subject matter and ideas, and describes ways artists convey ideas about their world to audiences through artworks CA2-VIS-01
Content
Making: Artists represent their world through subject matter and ideas in artworks
- represent subject matter and ideas in artworks, making choices based on own interpretations of the world
- use drawing materials and techniques to create effects with texture and tone to represent subject matter and ideas
- explore balance, scale and proportion in compositions to represent subject matter and ideas
- demonstrate safe art making practices with respect for physical, social and digital safety
Creative Arts K-6 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2024
Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus (2024) - Stage 2
Physical and living systems depend on energy
Outcomes
- Uses information to investigate the solar system and the effects of energy on living, physical and geological systems ST2-SCI-01
- Uses and interprets data to describe patterns and relationships ST2-DAT-01
Content
Living things depend on energy and materials to survive
- Observe and describe living and non-living things in a habitat
- Describe the transfer of energy between plants and animals using food chains, Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary
Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2024
Syllabus outcomes and content Stage 3
Creative Arts K-6 Syllabus (2024)
Visual Arts
Outcomes
- makes artworks in intentional ways to represent ideas about their world, and explains ways artists are influenced by contexts and how artworks are interpreted by audiences CA3-VIS-01
Content
Making: Artists represent their world in intentional ways through their artmaking practice
- Represent ideas or perspectives of their world and intentions in own artmaking practice
- Use drawing materials and techniques to create artistic effects to represent subject matter or ideas in intentional ways
- Create intentional effects with awareness of the relationships between colours and tones, to represent subject matter or ideas in realistic, imaginative or symbolic ways
- Use painting materials, techniques and processes to explore ways to apply paint in combination with mixed media materials
- Apply understandings of materials, digital technologies and processes to represent intended ideas in artworks
- Explore artistic conventions and ways to represent subject matter and ideas in compositions
- Demonstrate safe artmaking practices with respect for physical, social, digital and cultural safety
Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus (2024) - Stage 3
Knowledge of our world and beyond inspires sustainable solutions
Outcomes
- Uses evidence to explain how scientific knowledge can be used to develop sustainable practices ST3-SCI-01
- Interprets data to support explanations and arguments ST3-DAT-01
Content
Living things may change over millions of years, in response to their environments
- Observe behavioural and structural adaptations of plants and animals, and suggest how these may help them survive in their environments
Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2024
Location
Field of Mars Reserve
Main location
Find risk assessment information, risk management advice, bus access details and walking track information for Field of Mars Reserve.
Teachers or parents will need to drop off and pick up students.
Westminster Road
Alternative entrance
This entrance or exit offers access during severe high tides and heavy rainfall events that cause flooding on the main Pittwater Road entrance.
Learn with us
Book now
Book your HPGE program using our online booking form.
Learning resources
View online lessons that support primary incursion and excursion programs.
Flora and fauna fact sheets
View our curriculum-aligned fact sheets on Australian animals, plants, ecosystems and environments for NSW primary and secondary students, ideal for research, projects and classroom learning.