Factors that shape places | Stage 3 HSIE geography incursion
Program overview
How are natural places managed for people and the environment? During this excursion Stage 3 students will undertake geographical inquiry in their local bushland or parkland to investigate its geographical features, human influences and natural values. Students use primary data and their own experiences to evaluate management practices as they consider the future of the area.
Learning intention
- We are learning to describe how people influence our local environment.
- We are learning to describe how our local environment influences people and places.
Activities
This excursion will explore a bushland area local to your school especially the creeks that flow through it. Students will also examine the human activities taking place in surrounding urban areas and determine the effects these can have on the bushland.
To start, students will discuss the inquiry questions, the physical scope of the inquiry area, and the geographical fieldwork tools and methods to be used throughout the investigation. Throughout the day students will collect primary data for example by conducting chemical and physical water quality testing and vegetation surveys.
Students will work in pairs to interpret their information. make connections between human influences and the bushland’s natural characteristics, and consider management strategies for the area.
This program of also available as an excursion to Field of Mars Reserve.
This program will retire at the end of 2026.
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 |
Risk assessment |
Risk management plan |
Classes |
Recommended maximum 4 classes per day. |
View |
Factors that shape places learning resource |
Welfare |
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 |
Activity |
| 9.15 - 9.45 | Introduction at school or local area |
| 9.45 - 10.15 | Recess |
| 10.15 - 12.30 | Activities in local area |
| 12.30 - 1.00 | Lunch |
| 1.00 - 2.15 | Activities in local area |
| 2.15 | Return to school |
Please include your school's bell times in the notes section of your booking form.
Tier 2 and 3 vocabulary
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
Book now
Book your primary incursion using our online booking form.
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.