Digital woodlands excursion | Stage 3 Creative Arts
Program overview
Digital woodlands is a Stage 3 Creative Arts excursion where students use iPads to explore nature photography in the bushland of Field of Mars Reserve. They learn how photographers use composition, focus, light, perspective and macro photography to represent the natural world and communicate ideas to an audience.
Working in pairs, students capture a portfolio of bushland images, select and edit their strongest photographs, and create a collaborative digital photo book. Each student also chooses one image to be printed, framed and delivered to school.
This program is also available for Stage 2 and as a Digital woodlands incursion.
Learning intention
- We are learning to use digital photography techniques to represent the natural world and communicate ideas to an audience.
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 and weather conditions.
Nature photography workshop
Students examine examples of nature photography and discuss how images can tell stories, influence audiences and encourage people to value the natural world. They learn techniques including subject focus, macro photography, light, leading lines, framing, perspective and the rule of thirds.
Field photography
Working in pairs, students photograph plants, animals, textures, patterns and other bushland features. They experiment with angles and viewpoints, apply composition techniques and explain the choices they make when creating each image.
Students may also complete creative photography challenges involving forced perspective, natural alphabets, patterns and carefully arranged natural materials.
Publishing
Students use selection criteria to identify and justify their strongest photographs before using digital editing tools to refine their images. Each student selects one photograph to be printed, framed and delivered to school.
Students collaborate in Book Creator to produce a digital photo book showcasing different photographic techniques. They organise and sequence images, design a cover and reflect on how their photography developed throughout the day.
Suggested timetable
Time |
Activities |
| 9.45–10.30 | Nature photography workshop |
| 10.30–10.45 | Recess |
| 10.45–12.15 | Field photography |
| 12.15–12.45 | Lunch |
| 12.45–2.00 | Publishing |
| 2.00–2.15 | Pack up, toilets and depart |
Syllabus outcomes and content
Students will learn to
- analyse how photographers use composition, focus, framing, perspective, light and macro photography to communicate ideas
- intentionally select natural subjects, viewpoints and photographic techniques
- apply digital photography and editing processes to refine images
- evaluate and justify the selection and sequencing of photographs
- collaborate to create a digital photo book
- make curatorial choices when presenting photographs to an audience
The excursion addresses the following Stage 3 content from the Creative Arts K–6 Syllabus (2024).
Creative Arts K–6 Syllabus (2024)
Visual Arts
Outcome
- CA3-VIS-01 – Makes artworks in intentional ways to represent ideas about their world, and explains ways artists are influenced by contexts and how artworks are interpreted by audiences
Content addressed
Making – Artists represent their world in intentional ways through their artmaking practice
- Apply understandings of materials, digital technologies and processes to represent intended ideas in artworks
- Explore artistic conventions and ways to represent subject matter and ideas in compositions
- Make artworks in collaboration with others to represent an intended meaning
Appreciating – Artists are influenced by contexts and make artworks that audiences can critique and interpret in various ways
- Explain structural features of an artwork and how artists use the elements of art and design to communicate meaning to audiences through art forms, using Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary
Exhibiting – Artworks are displayed and curated to communicate intentional ideas to audiences
- Enhance an artwork by refining, editing, resolving or mounting an artwork
- Make choices about ways to display or curate own artworks to engage audiences and convey ideas and meaning
Creative Arts K–6 Syllabus (2024) © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) 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 $27 per student – GST free
Non-government school $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 4 classes, with up to 30 students per class.
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
The program includes bushwalking on uneven natural tracks. Some program areas at Field of Mars Reserve may be 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
Digital woodlands social story
Help Year 5 and 6 students understand where they will go, how they will use iPads and what will happen during the excursion.
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
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.
Extend student learning
Use these student-friendly fact sheets before or after the Digital woodlands excursion to introduce natural subjects, habitats, textures and patterns that can inspire students’ photography.
- Field of Mars Reserve environment fact sheet – Explore the bushland environment where students photograph plants, animals, textures and natural features.
- Eucalypt forest ecosystems fact sheet – Learn about the forest ecosystem students use as inspiration for digital photography.
- Plant fact sheets – Explore native plants with leaves, flowers, bark, colours, shapes and patterns suitable for close observation.
- Tree habitat fact sheet – Discover bark, branches, flowers, hollows and canopy features that can become photographic subjects.
- Leaf litter habitat fact sheet – Explore small forest-floor details suited to macro photography and close observation.
- Habitat fact sheet – Learn how living and non-living features create places where organisms can survive.
Learn with us
Book this excursion
Book this Stage 3 Creative Arts excursion using our online booking form.
Learning resources
Explore digital activities, social stories and classroom resources that support creative arts, nature observation and environmental learning.
Related Stage 3 excursions
Documentary in a day excursion
Plan, film and edit a short nature documentary using field observations, purposeful camera techniques and digital storytelling.
The art of wellbeing excursion
Use nature-based artmaking and mindfulness activities to explore wellbeing, emotions and connection to place.