Field guide HPGE | Stage 2–3 Creative Arts and Science and Technology
Program overview
Field guide is a one-day Stage 2 and Stage 3 Creative Arts and Science and Technology HPGE enrichment program where students become field naturalists, nature journalists and digital artists. Students investigate Field of Mars Reserve, closely observe living and non-living features and use photography to record natural specimens, habitats, colours, textures, forms and patterns.
Students use Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre iPads and Procreate to transform their observations into detailed digital illustrations, annotated journal pages and natural colour palettes. They curate their strongest photographs, artworks and scientific observations into a multi-page field guide. Each student’s field guide is printed, and a PDF version is shared with the school through Google Drive. HPGE domains: creative, intellectual.
Book this Stage 2–3 Creative Arts and Science and Technology program
Learning intentions
- We are learning to closely observe and record living and non-living features in a bushland ecosystem.
- We are learning to use photography, digital drawing, colour and annotation to communicate field observations accurately and creatively.
- We are learning to curate scientific observations and digital artworks into a multi-page field guide for an audience.
Jump to: Program and curriculum | Essential information | Plan and prepare | Location | Extend student learning | Related HPGE programs
Program and curriculum information
Program activities
Activities may change to suit student needs, timing, environmental conditions and the natural features available for observation.
Discovery and colour palette
Students begin with a close-up photography challenge around the education centre. They search for easily overlooked details in leaves, flowers, seeds, bark and other natural features and create a collection of digital specimens.
Students use Procreate to sample colours from the bushland and create an annotated natural colour palette. They experiment with watercolour brushes, blending tools and custom colour swatches inspired by their observations.
Field expedition
Students explore Field of Mars Reserve to investigate biodiversity, habitats and living and non-living features. Using Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre iPads, they photograph and record details that will provide the scientific and visual evidence for their field guide.
Digital nature journalling
Students transform field observations into detailed digital illustrations using Procreate. They use brushes, layers, colour palettes and drawing tools to represent texture, form, proportion and scientific detail.
Students add headings, labels, annotations and concise observations to communicate what they noticed and learned.
Field guide publication and showcase
Students curate their strongest photographs, illustrations, annotations and scientific observations into a professionally designed, multi-page field guide.
Students present selected pages from their completed publications and explain their observations, artistic decisions and scientific thinking. Each field guide is printed, and a PDF version is shared with the school through Google Drive.
Timetable
Time |
Activities |
| 9.15 | Arrival |
| 9.30–10.15 | Discovery |
| 10.15–10.30 | Recess |
| 10.30–11.00 | Colour palette |
| 11.00–11.30 | Digital nature journalling |
| 11.30–12.00 | Field expedition |
| 12.00–12.30 | Lunch |
| 12.30–2.00 | Field guide publication |
| 2.00–2.15 | Showcase |
| 2.15 | Student collection and departure |
The timetable may be adjusted according to participant numbers, environmental conditions and the needs of participating students.
Syllabus outcomes and content
Students will learn to
- closely observe and photograph living and non-living features in an ecosystem
- identify and describe patterns, colours, textures and forms in natural environments
- collect, organise and communicate field observations and visual evidence
- use digital drawing techniques to represent natural subject matter with detail and accuracy
- apply composition, scale, proportion, colour and tone when creating artworks
- use scientific vocabulary, labels and annotations to communicate observations
- combine photography, digital illustration and written information in a multimodal publication
- curate and present a completed field guide for an audience.
The program supports the Creative Arts K–6 Syllabus (2024) and relevant Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus (2024) content through field observation, digital artmaking, visual communication and publication design.
Creative Arts K–6 Syllabus (2024) – Stage 2
Visual Arts
Outcome
- CA2-VIS-01 – Makes artworks using art forms to represent subject matter and ideas, and describes ways artists convey ideas about their world to audiences through artworks
Content addressed
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 digital tools to make or manipulate still or moving images, text and/or sounds
- Explore balance, scale and proportion in compositions to represent subject matter and ideas
Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus (2024) – Stage 2
Physical and living systems depend on energy
Outcome
- ST2-SCI-01 – Uses information to investigate the solar system and the effects of energy on living, physical and geological systems
Relevant content addressed
Living things depend on energy and materials to survive
- Observe and describe living and non-living things in a habitat
Creative Arts K–6 Syllabus (2024) – Stage 3
Visual Arts
Outcome
- CA3-VIS-01 – 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
Content addressed
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
- 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
Creative Arts K–6 Syllabus (2024) © NSW Education Standards Authority for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2024
Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus (2024) © NSW Education Standards Authority for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2024
Tier 2 and 3 vocabulary
Essential information
Program costs, eligibility and booking
Cost
$60 per student – GST free
Program costs are processed through each student’s home school.
Program costs may change. If program costs change after you book, you will be charged at the original cost.
Eligibility
This program is available to Stage 2 and Stage 3 students enrolled in NSW Department of Education schools.
Schools should select students who demonstrate strong interest or potential in natural history, biological science, field observation, photography, digital illustration, visual communication or publication design. Selection should consider curiosity and potential, not only prior achievement.
Dates and booking
Field guide is offered on selected HPGE program dates. Check available dates and remaining places before selecting students.
View HPGE program dates and remaining places
Cancellations
Less than 4 weeks notice – full cost (excluding HPGE programs in Term 1, Weeks 3–5)
Weather or fire danger cancellation – $0
Student numbers, supervision and support
Student numbers
A school may nominate up to twelve students for each HPGE program day.
Places are limited and subject to the remaining program capacity.
Supervision
Classroom teachers are not required to attend but are welcome.
Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre teachers supervise students throughout the program. Schools must provide a teacher or school learning support officer when a student requires additional assistance to participate safely and successfully.
Student information
Schools must provide accurate medical, allergy, medication, emergency contact, collection and support information for every participating student.
Student details must be confirmed at least seven working school days before the program. Changes can be made using the edit-submission link provided with the booking confirmation.
Support and adjustments
Notify Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre before the program about any mobility, sensory, communication, behavioural, medical or learning support requirements. Staff can discuss reasonable adjustments and suitable participation options.
What to bring, arrival and transport
Students should bring
School sports uniform, backpack, medication, low-waste food, water bottle, sunscreen, raincoat, hat and sturdy shoes.
Arrival and departure
Students should be dropped off by 9.15 am and collected at 2.15 pm.
A teacher, parent or responsible adult must supervise students until they have been received by Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre staff.
Transport and parking
Schools and families are responsible for transport to and from Field of Mars Reserve.
Cars must park in the main car park beside Pittwater Road. Students and accompanying adults then walk along the access road to the centre.
Risk management, weather and cancellations
Risk management
The program includes indoor digital artmaking, bushland field investigations, walking near natural vegetation and creeks, and closely observing and photographing plants, animals and natural materials.
Schools should review the Field of Mars Reserve risk management information when planning student participation and transport.
Students who are unwell should not attend.
View the Field of Mars Reserve risk management plan
View Field of Mars Reserve location and access information
Weather
The program may be modified, postponed or cancelled because of predicted extreme temperatures, bush fire danger, heavy rainfall, high winds or dust storms.
Field activities may continue in light rain when conditions are safe. Students must bring a waterproof raincoat.
Families may be directed to the Westminster Road entrance when flooding prevents access through the main entrance.
Plan and prepare for your visit
Field of Mars Reserve social story
Help Stage 2 and 3 students understand where they will go, what they may experience and how to participate safely during their visit.
Preparing for your excursion
Help students and families prepare for the program by checking clothing, food, water, medication, transport and outdoor learning requirements.
Location
Field of Mars Reserve
Main location
Find risk management information, parking details, access information and walking track information for Field of Mars Reserve.
Teachers, parents or responsible adults will need to drop off and collect students.
Westminster Road
Alternative entrance
This entrance or exit provides alternative access during severe high tides and heavy rainfall events that cause flooding at the main Pittwater Road entrance.
Extend student learning
Use these student-friendly fact sheets before or after your Field guide HPGE enrichment program to support field naturalist skills, specimen observation, colour palettes and digital field guide creation.
- Field of Mars Reserve fact sheet – Explore the local bushland, plants, animals, habitats and ecosystems students document in their field guides.
- Eucalypt forest ecosystem fact sheet – Learn about gum-tree forests with trees, shrubs, leaf litter, animals and connected food webs.
- Plant fact sheets – Explore native plants that students can observe, photograph, identify and represent in field guide pages.
- Invertebrate fact sheets – Explore insects, spiders, crustaceans, molluscs and other small animals that students can observe and document during fieldwork.
- Habitat fact sheet – Learn how living and non-living features create places where organisms can survive.
- Leaf litter habitats fact sheet – Discover small forest-floor habitats that support invertebrates, reptiles, fungi and decomposers.
Learn with us
Book this HPGE enrichment program
Book places for selected Stage 2 and Stage 3 students using the Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre HPGE programs booking form.
Learning resources
Explore lessons, digital activities, fact sheets and classroom resources that support outdoor and environmental learning before or after the HPGE program.
Related HPGE programs
Augmented Reality Studio HPGE enrichment program
Students investigate invertebrate features, behaviours and habitats before creating a digital specimen and augmented reality science explanation using iPads.
Mystery HPGE enrichment program
Students work in teams to solve a wildlife mystery by following a clue trail, collecting field evidence, interpreting maps and data, and presenting an evidence-based scientific argument.