Digital woodlands | Stage 2 | Creative arts excursion | Field of Mars EEC
Program overview
Digital Woodlands is a Stage 2 Creative arts excursion where students immerse themselves in the bushland of Field of Mars Reserve and learn the art of digital photography. Students are explicitly taught key techniques such as the rule of thirds, composition and macro photography, then work collaboratively on a guided field session to select subjects, compose shots and capture a portfolio of nature images. Back at the centre, students edit their photographs and create photo book, selecting one standout image to be printed and framed and delivered to your school after the excursion.
Learning intention
- We are learning to represent the natural world through digital photography.
Activities
Introduction
Students begin a curated slideshow of powerful nature photographs. Through guided discussion, students reflect on how images can tell stories, influence people and support conservation.
Students explore key photographic techniques used in nature photography, including subject focus, macro, light, leading lines, framing and rule of thirds. Using examples, students practise identifying how each technique influences mood, balance and visual impact.
Field photography
Working in pairs, students photograph bushland features while applying the techniques introduced in class. Students practise safe fieldwork behaviours, experiment with angles and perspectives, and explain the compositional choices made for each image.
Students extend their skills through optional creative challenges such as forced perspective, natural alphabet, patterns and purposeful loose parts compositions. These tasks encourage experimentation, problem solving and refined observation of natural details.
Photo finish
Students use clear selection criteria to shortlist and justify their strongest images, then enhance photos using editing tools. They will also select a photo to be printed. Printed images and frames will be delivered to school after the excursion.
Students collaborate to create a digital photo book in Book Creator that showcases images representing each photographic technique as a chapter. Students design a cover page, sequence images for audience impact and share their finished book with teachers, reflecting on how their photography improved across the day.
Photo gallery
Time permitting, students view a slide show of the day's best photographs and discuss the features and techniques used.
This program is also available for Stage 3 and can operate as an incursion.
Location
Field of Mars Reserve
Main location – including risk assessment and risk management advice, bus map and track overview.
Essential information
Cost and details
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 |
Recommended maximum 4 classes. |
Bring |
Sports uniform, backpack, medication, low-waste food, water bottle, sunblock, raincoat, hat, sturdy shoes, reusable name tag. |
View |
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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 |
Suggested timetable
Time |
Activities |
| 9.45 - 10.30 | Introduction - taking great photos |
| 10.30 - 10.45 | Recess |
| 10.45 - 12.15 | Photography in the field |
| 12.15 - 12.45 | Lunch |
| 12.45 - 2.00 | Photo editing and digital book creation |
| 2.00 - 2.15 | Pack up and depart |
Tier 2 and 3 vocabulary
Syllabus outcomes and content
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 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
- Make artworks through collaboration with others
- Demonstrate safe art making practices with respect for physical, social and digital safety
Other syllabus links
Learning experiences will also support but not explicitly teach the following outcomes and content:
Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus (2024)
Physical and living systems depend on energy
Outcome
- Uses information to investigate the solar system and the effects of energy on living, physical and geological systems ST2-SCI-01
Content
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 © 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 © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2024
Book now
Book your primary excursion using our online booking form.
Social stories
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Learning resources
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