Ecosystem explorers excursion | Stage 2 Science and Technology
Program overview
Ecosystem explorers is a Stage 2 Science and Technology excursion where students work as field scientists to investigate a bushland ecosystem at Field of Mars Reserve or another local bushland site.
Using field journals and scientific fieldwork techniques, students observe living and non-living features, identify Earth’s systems, survey animal evidence and investigate habitats, predator–prey relationships and food chains. They record findings through labelled sketches, watercolour illustrations, tallies and data tables to develop an evidence-based understanding of ecosystem interactions.
This program is also available as an Ecosystem explorers incursion.
Learning intentions
- We are learning to observe and record living and non-living features of an ecosystem.
- We are learning to collect and interpret evidence about living things and their habitats.
- We are learning to explain how living things depend on each other and their environment for survival.
Jump to: Program and curriculum | Essential information | Plan and prepare | Location | Related excursions
Program and curriculum information
Program activities
Activities may change to suit student needs, timing, excursion location and weather conditions.
Earth systems and nature journal
Students identify the four systems that make up Earth’s environments: the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. Using examples from the excursion site, they sketch and label a local feature connected to each system.
Students explain how the atmosphere provides air, the hydrosphere provides water and the lithosphere provides land, soil and minerals that support the needs of living things in the biosphere.
Living and non-living features
Students collect small, naturally loose items from the ground and classify them as living, once living or non-living. They justify their decisions using observable evidence and record one item as a detailed watercolour illustration in their field journal.
Animal evidence
Students use field guides and habitat-layer cards to identify animal evidence such as tracks, scats, feeding signs and leaf damage. They record observations in a data table, tally the evidence, compare totals and describe patterns linking animal evidence with different habitat layers.
Predator–prey relationships
Students locate and identify different types of spider webs. They investigate how spiders use living and non-living habitat features to anchor webs and capture food, then record an explanation of the predator’s interactions within the ecosystem.
Ecosystem interactions
Students investigate a habitat tree from its base to the canopy, identifying features that provide animals with food, shelter, nesting places and pathways. They use their observations to distinguish a habitat as the place where an organism lives, an ecosystem as the interactions between living and non-living components, and an environment as all the living and non-living surroundings.
Students observe animal movement and model food chains to show the transfer of energy between plants and animals. They describe how animals depend on plants for resources such as food and shelter and how plants may depend on animals for processes such as pollination and seed dispersal. Students may record these connections through labelled diagrams or a collaborative nature collage.
Suggested timetable
Time |
Activities |
| 9.45–10.30 | Introduction, toilets, recess and equipment bags distributed |
| 10.30–12.00 | Bushwalk and activities |
| 12.00–12.30 | Lunch and toilets |
| 12.30–2.00 | Bushwalk and activities |
| 2.00–2.15 | Pack up, toilets and depart |
Syllabus outcomes and content
Students will learn to
- identify the systems of Earth that make up environments
- explain how the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere support the needs of living things
- observe and classify living, once-living and non-living features
- collect, organise and interpret ecosystem evidence
- describe the relationship between habitats, ecosystems and environments
- explain ways plants and animals depend on each other and their surroundings
- represent the transfer of energy between plants and animals using food chains
The excursion directly supports the Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus (2024) through first-hand scientific observation, data collection and investigation of relationships within a bushland ecosystem.
Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus (2024)
Physical and living systems depend on energy
Outcomes
- ST2-SCI-01 – Uses information to investigate the solar system and the effects of energy on living, physical and geological systems
- ST2-DAT-01 – Uses and interprets data to describe patterns and relationships
Content addressed
Living things depend on energy and materials to survive
- Identify the systems of Earth that make up environments: air – atmosphere, land – lithosphere, water – hydrosphere and living things – biosphere
- Describe how the needs of living things are provided by the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere
- Describe the relationship between habitat, ecosystem and environment
- Observe and describe living and non-living things in a habitat
- Describe ways plants and animals depend on each other for survival
- Describe the transfer of energy between plants and animals using food chains
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
Cost, class numbers and booking
Cost
DoE cost $27 per student – GST free
Non-government school cost $37 per student – GST free, minimum charge $750 per class
Term 1 non-government weeks 3 to 5 – DoE cost, GST free, minimum charge $750
Classes
Recommended maximum 6 classes, with up to 30 students per class.
Bookings for more than 6 classes will require multiple locations. Please contact us to discuss suitable options.
Program costs
Program costs may change. If program costs change after you book, you will be charged at the original cost.
Booking policy
Confirm final student numbers and classes 7 working school days before the program.
Risk assessment and accessibility
Field of Mars Reserve risk assessment and location information – main location
Buffalo Creek Reserve risk assessment and location information – alternative location
Blackman Park risk assessment and location information – alternative location
The program includes bushwalking on uneven natural tracks.
Field of Mars Reserve and Blackman Park include some wheelchair-accessible areas. Buffalo Creek Reserve is not wheelchair accessible.
Students who are unwell should not attend.
Classroom teachers are expected to attend and actively supervise students throughout the excursion.
Notify Field of Mars EEC before the visit about medical, mobility, sensory, communication or other support needs so reasonable adjustments can be considered.
What students should bring
Weather, cancellations and rescheduling
The program may be modified, postponed or cancelled because of predicted extreme temperatures, bush fire danger, heavy rainfall, high winds or dust storms.
Cancellation or rescheduling with less than 30 school days’ notice before the booking date – $650
Cancellation with less than 14 school days’ notice before the booking date – full program cost
Cancellation due to unsafe weather or fire danger – $0
Plan and prepare for your visit
Ecosystem explorers social story
Help Year 3 and 4 students understand what will happen during their excursion, including walking through bushland, using fieldwork equipment and recording observations in small groups.
Preparing for your excursion
Find information about what students should wear and bring, transport, arrival procedures, safety and preparing classes for active outdoor learning.
Location options
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.
Buffalo Creek Reserve
Alternative location
Find risk assessment information, risk management advice, bus access details and walking track information for Buffalo Creek Reserve.
Blackman Park
Alternative location
Find risk assessment information, risk management advice, bus access details and walking track information for Blackman Park.
Extend student learning
Use these student-friendly fact sheets before or after the Ecosystem explorers excursion to support learning about living and non-living features, habitats, food chains and ecosystem interactions.
- Eucalypt forest ecosystem fact sheet – Learn about the ecosystem students investigate through field sketches, evidence collection and food chains.
- Field of Mars Reserve environment fact sheet – Explore local bushland, creek lines, habitats, plants, animals and environmental management.
- Habitat fact sheet – Learn how living and non-living features create places where organisms can survive.
- Tree habitat fact sheet – Discover how trees support animals from the base of the trunk to the canopy.
- Leaf litter habitat fact sheet – Explore forest-floor habitats where decomposers, invertebrates and small reptiles live.
- Invertebrate fact sheets – Explore insects, spiders, worms, molluscs and other small animals connected through food chains.
Learn with us
Book this excursion
Book this Stage 2 Science and Technology excursion using our online booking form.
Eucalypt forest learning resource
Use videos, virtual tours and outdoor activities to investigate forest features, vegetation layers and how animals use eucalypt forest habitats.
Related Stage 2 excursions
National parks excursion
Investigate national park features, plants, animals, conservation strategies and ways people care for protected environments.
Documentary in a day excursion
Plan, film and edit a short nature documentary using habitat observations, purposeful camera techniques and digital storytelling.