Adaptations | Stage 3 Science and technology excursion
Program overview
Adaptations is a Stage 3 excursion that explores the structural and behavioural adaptations of our amazing Australian plants and animals through a range of hands-on activities. Students will practise the scientific skills of observing to make inferences about the adaptations of a range of Australian plants and animals in situ. Findings will be recorded in a field journal which can be taken back to school for further investigations.
Learning intention
- We are learning to describe the structural and behavioural adaptations of native animals and plants.
Activities
Animal investigations
Students will explore structural and behavioural adaptations by observing a native lizard, practising scientific note-taking and observational drawing to record their findings. They will develop their understanding through a self-directed investigation of invertebrates, using specialised equipment to collect and study specimens before documenting results in their fieldwork journal.
Adaptations bushwalk
Students will explore the Field of Mars Reserve on a rugged bushwalk, observing the different structural and behavioural adaptations of the native plants and animals that live there. Students will learn different ways of recording scientific information in their fieldwork journal.
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. |
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
Book now
Book your primary excursion using our online booking form.
Social stories
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Learning resources
View online lessons that support primary incursion and excursion programs.
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.