Factors that shape places excursion | Stage 3 HSIE Geography | Field of Mars EEC

Cost, risk assessment and details

Cost	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 5 cost = DoE cost – GST free, min charge $750 Program costs may change. Bookings are charged at the cost confirmed when you book.
Classes	Maximum 6 classes with up to 30 students per class.
Risk assessment	Field of Mars Reserve risk assessment - main location
Bring	Sports uniform, backpack, medication, low-waste food, water bottle, sunblock, raincoat, hat, sturdy shoes, reusable name tag.
View	Preparing for your excursion Factors that shape places learning resource
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 and rescheduling	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

Activities

Activities may vary depending on student needs, timing and weather.

Create a catchment

Students will be introduced to the day's inquiry by creating a natural model of a catchment area. Scenarios that replicate human activities are investigated and impacts are observed to develop student knowledge and understanding.

Waterways investigations

Students will undertake a geographical investigation of Buffalo Creek, exploring its physical characteristics and ecological significance. Plant surveys will explore how pollutants have modified the riparian zone and animal surveys will lead students to understand how the health of a waterway supports the needs of aquatic and terrestrial animal species. Chemical and physical water testing will be conducted to assess the water quality of the creek.

Bushland investigations

The ways in which people use and value urban bushland sites are key factors in their management. Through exploring bushland and engaging in the activities enjoyed within these reserves, students will deepen their understanding of how human interaction influences natural areas.

Explore related fact sheets

Use these student-friendly fact sheets before or after your Factors that shape places excursion to support learning about natural features, human features, waterways, landforms and environmental change.

• ⁠Field of Mars Reserve fact sheet – Explore local bushland, creeklines, wetlands, mangroves, saltmarsh, tracks and human impacts.
• ⁠River and creek environment fact sheet – Learn how water flow, creek banks, plants, animals and human impacts shape creek environments.
• ⁠Estuary environments fact sheet – Explore places where freshwater and saltwater mix and support connected plants, animals and food webs.
• ⁠Mangrove forest ecosystem fact sheet – Discover tidal mud, mangrove roots, seedlings, crabs, fish nurseries and estuary food chains.
• ⁠Coastal salt marsh ecosystem fact sheet – Learn about low tidal wetlands with salt-tolerant plants, mud, shallow water and changing conditions.
• ⁠Eucalypt forest ecosystem fact sheet – Compare forest features with waterways, mangroves, saltmarsh and human-managed places.

Suggested timetable

Time	Classes A, B	Classes C, D
9.45 - 10.30	Introduction, recess and toilets	Introduction, recess and toilets
10.30 - 12.00	Create a catchment Waterway investigations	Bushland investigations
12.00 - 12.30	Lunch and toilets	Lunch and toilets
12.30 - 2.00	Bushland investigations	Create a catchment Waterway investigations
2.00 - 2.15	Pack up, toilets and depart	Pack up, toilets and depart

Tier 2 and 3 vocabulary

influence, orientation, investigate, collect, interpret, compare, manage, catchment, pollutants, water quality, aquatic, terrestrial, freshwater, ridge, creek

Syllabus outcomes and content

Geography K-10 Syllabus (2015)

Factors that shape places

Outcomes

• Describes the diverse features and characteristics of places and environments GE3-1
• Explains interactions and connections between people, places and environments GE3-2
• Compares and contrasts influences on the management of places and environments GE3-3
• Acquires, processes and communicates geographical information using geographical tools for inquiry GE3-4

Content

Environments shape places

• Investigate how the natural environment influences people and places

Humans shape places

• Investigate how people influence places

Other syllabus links

Learning experiences will also support but not explicitly teach the following outcomes and content:

Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus (2017)

Outcomes

• Examines how the environment affects the growth, survival and adaptation of living things ST3-4LW-S

Content

• Describe how changing physical conditions in the environment affect the growth and survival of living things

Geography K-10 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2015

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, 2017