Life cycles excursion
Science and technology
Program
Students will explore the Field of Mars Reserve to find and observe native plants and animals in different stages of their life cycle.
Learning intentions
- We are learning to identify living things at different stages of their life cycle.
- We are learning to describe how living things change as they grow.
Activities
Bushwalk
Students will explore the reserve on a bushwalk, locating and observing different life stages of various native plants and animals and describing how their external features change as they grow.
Invertebrate investigation
At the Field of Mars centre students will conduct a focused investigation of invertebrates. They will use scientific equipment to collect and observe invertebrates, identify their life stages, and record data. Using clay and natural materials, students will construct a scientific model of an invertebrate in a specific stage of its growth.
This program is also available as an incursion.
Location options
Field of Mars Reserve
Main location – including bus maps, risk management advice, track overview
Buffalo Creek Reserve
Alternative location – including bus maps, risk management advice, track overview
Essential information
| Cost 2025 |
DoE $25 per student – GST free Non-gov school $35 per student – GST free, min charge $750 |
| Cost 2026 |
DoE $27 per student – GST free Non-gov $37 per student – GST free, min charge $750 per class Term 1 – Non-gov weeks 3 to 6 cost = DoE cost – GST free, min charge $750 |
| Classes | Maximum 6 classes. |
| Bring |
Sports uniform, backpack, medication, low-waste food, water bottle, sunblock, raincoat, hat, sturdy shoes, reusable name tag. Tote tray per class to bring back clay craft. |
| View | |
| Welfare |
Rugged bushwalking, limited wheelchair accessibility. 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 numbers and classes 7 days in advance. |
| Cancellation fee |
Less than 30 working school days – $600 Less than 7 working school days notice – full cost Weather or fire danger cancellation – $0 |
| Time | Class A, B, C | Class D, E, F |
| 9.45 - 10.30 |
Introduction Toilets, crunch and sip or recess |
Introduction Toilets, crunch and sip or recess |
| 10.30 - 12.00 | Bushwalk | Invertebrate investigation |
| 12.00 - 12.30 | Lunch and toilets | Lunch and toilets |
| 12.30 - 2.00 | Invertebrate investigation | Bushwalk |
| 2.00 - 2.15 | Pack up, toilets and depart | Pack up, toilets and depart |
Syllabus outcomes and content
Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus (2024)
Investigations of changes provide knowledge and understanding
Outcomes
- Poses questions based on observations and information to investigate cause and effect ST1-PQU-01
- Measures and describes changes in living things, materials, movement, Earth and the sky ST1-SC1-01
Content
Living things change over time
- Collect data about the variety of living things in a local habitat, group them and justify the groupings
- Describe the changes in a plant as it grows using data and scientific models
- Describe the changes in an animal as it goes through its life cycle using data and scientific models
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
