Adaptations | Stage 3 | Science and Technology excursion | Field of Mars EEC
Program overview
Adaptations is a Stage 3 Science and Technology excursion where students investigate structural and behavioural adaptations of Australian plants and animals through hands-on fieldwork in Field of Mars Reserve. Students observe and record evidence (including a native lizard observation and an invertebrate investigation using specialised collecting equipment), make inferences about how features support survival, and document findings through scientific note-taking and observational drawing in a field journal for follow-up learning back at school.
Learning intention
- We are learning to describe the structural and behavioural adaptations of native animals and plants.
Activities
Animal investigations
Students safely collect invertebrates from leaf litter, shrubs and tree trunks, noting where each animal was found. Using magnifiers and ID charts, students identify structural features and behaviours and infer how these support survival, then record findings in a adaptations journal through annotated scientific sketches and brief explanations.
Students observe a live native lizard in a controlled habitat setting and describe key features and behaviours linked to its environment. Students create an observational drawing, label adaptations and explain how selected structures and behaviours help the lizard survive.
Adaptations bushwalk
On a guided bushwalk, students investigate plant structures that support reproduction and survival, using specimens such as banksia flowers and woody gumnuts. Students sketch and annotate features and infer how adaptations such as large flowers and protected seeds increase reproductive success and resilience.
Students examine leaves with low herbivory and investigate how plant features deter grazing, such as oils or serrated, tough leaves. Students also explore bushfire adaptations by comparing bark types and recording inferences about how thick or shedding bark can reduce fire damage.
Students observe local birds using binoculars and field guides to identify structural and behavioural adaptations. Other species such as leaf-tailed geckos, trapdoor spiders or ringtail possum dreys are used to deepen discussion about camouflage, ambush and shelter-building, before students conclude by sharing key adaptation examples from their journals.
Adaptations are also explored in a full day AR Adapations incursion and a 2 hour 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 with up to 30 students per class. |
Activities |
Activities may change to suit student needs, the selected site and weather conditions. |
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 |
Classes A, B |
Classes C, D |
| 9.45 - 10.30 | Introduction, toilets and recess | Introduction, toilets and recess |
| 10.30 - 12.00 | Adaptations bushwalk | Animal investigations |
| 12.00 - 12.30 | Lunch and toilets | Lunch and toilets |
| 12.30 - 2.00 | Animal investigations | Adaptations bushwalk |
| 2.00 - 2.15 | Depart | Depart |
Tier 2 and 3 vocabulary
Syllabus outcomes and content
Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus (2024)
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
Creating written texts in Science and Technology
Outcome
- Creates written texts to communicate understanding of scientific and technological concepts and processes ST3-CWT-01
Content
Creating written explanations of concepts and processes supports understanding of Science and Technology
- Use compound and complex sentences and labelled diagrams to create a text that explains a process, concept or investigation
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
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Social stories
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Learning resources
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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.