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

Field guide HPGE enrichment program | Stage 2 and 3 Creative arts and science and technology

Program overview

Field Guide is a one-day HPGE enrichment program for Stage 2 and 3 students, set in the bushland of Field of Mars Reserve. In this program, students become nature explorers and digital artists, they will observe and document both living and non-living elements of the bushland through hands-on fieldwork and creative journaling. Using Field of Mars EEC supplied iPads, digital crayons and traditional art tools, students create a multipage Field Guide journal of their findings. Blending technology, creativity and outdoor learning to engage students in seeing nature from new perspectives while building scientific and artistic skills. By the end of the day, each student will have a curated collection of nature journal pages showcasing their learning and creativity.

Learning intentions

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Learning intentions

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Students recording texture and other observations during the Field guide HPGE enrichment program.
Students learning to capture natural colour pallets during the Field guide HPGE enrichment program.

Activities

Discovery

The day begins with an introduction to the environment and close observation. Students explore a small area of the bushland to notice nature’s fine details.

They will learn to observe nature from a variety of perspectives. Using pencils and a field notebook, they create detailed drawings. To capture tactile details, students create texture rubbings of bark and leaves. Alongside sketches, students will label notable features and record words or phrases including colours, shapes and species.

Expedition

Students exploring the Field of Mars nature trails will observe the bushland’s biodiversity. They will identify examples of flora and fauna, as well as non-living features. Using iPads supplied by the Field of Mars EEC, students will photograph living and non-living elements and record observations in their field notebook.

While on the trail, students will use the Measure app on the iPad to collect quantitative observations. For example, they may measure the length of a large leaf, the width of a spider’s web or the height of a sapling. These measurements will be recorded in their notes and can later be added to their digital journal page.

Digital journaling

In the centre classroom, students will be introduced to Procreate. They will learn how to use a variety of procreate tools, brushes and a digital crayon to create artworks based on bushland observations and photographs.

Field guide

Students will create a Field Guide (nature journal) book using their best photographs and procreate artworks. The guide will include maps, digital specimen collections, annotations, photographs and digital drawings that represent biodiversity within the Field of Mars Reserve.

The book will be printed and a PDF version will be returned to school via Google drive.

Showcase

Slideshow of student artworks created during the Field guide program.

This program is only available to NSW Department of Education schools

Location

Boardwalk and bushland setting in Field of Mars Reserve, main location for the Field guide HPGE enrichment program

Field of Mars Reserve

Main location – including risk assessment, maps and track overview.

Teachers or parents will need to drop off and pick up students.

Westminster Road entrance to Field of Mars Reserve, alternate access point used during severe high tides or heavy rainfall when the main entrance is flooded

Westminster Road alternate entrance

This entrance or exit offers access during severe high tides and heavy rainfall events that cause flooding on the main Pittwater Road entrance.

Essential information

Cost 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

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 8 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

Suggested timetable

Time

Activities
9.15 Arrival
9.30 - 10.15 Discovery
10.15 - 10.30 Recess
10.30 - 11.30 Expedition
11.30 - 12.00 Digital journaling
12.00 - 12.30 Lunch
12.30 - 2.00 Field guide
2.00 - 2.15 Showcase
2.15 Depart

Tier 2 and 3 vocabulary

observe, document, describe, annotate, measure, classify, represent, ecosystem, biodiversity, biotic, abiotic, quantitative, texture rubbing, specimen

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 saftey

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

Book now button linking to Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre Field guide HPGE enrichment program bookings

Book now

Book your HPGE program using our online booking form.

Learning resources tile linking to digital materials that support Wild shots photography activities and extension tasks

Learning resources

View online lessons that support primary incursion and excursion programs.

Flora and fauna fact sheets tile for native plants, animals and habitats in Field of Mars Reserve that can be photographed during the Field guide HPGE program.

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.