Primary HSIE Geography and History excursions and incursions | K–6 | Field of Mars EEC
Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre HSIE programs build geographical and historical inquiry through place-based learning. Students investigate features of places, water environments, change and continuity, and caring for environments through fieldwork and evidence. All programs support the new NSW Human Society and its Environment K–6 Syllabus (2024).
Why choose HSIE (Geography and History) at Field of Mars EEC?
- Teacher-led learning aligned to the NSW HSIE K–6 syllabus (Geography and History)
- Strong inquiry and fieldwork skills: observation, mapping, recording evidence and communicating findings
- Place-based contexts: features of places, water environments, caring for environments and connections to Country
What will students do?
- Observe, sketch, photograph and record features of places and environments (with maps/data)
- Use simple geographical tools (e.g., maps, compasses, field journals, data tables)
- Build HSIE vocabulary (Tier 2/3) for places, environments, change and sustainability
Featured HSIE excursions and incursions
Special places excursion
Early Stage 1 | HSIE Geography
Students investigate why places are special by observing features and feelings of place, then sharing simple evidence through talk, drawings and photos. Learning emphasises caring for local environments and respectful connections to Country.
Aboriginal connections to Country excursion
Stage 1 | HSIE History and Geography
Students build HSIE understanding by exploring significant places and perspectives, using observations and simple sources to describe how people care for places. They record learning in field journals and communicate ideas about plants, waterways and responsibility to Country.
National parks excursion
Stage 2 | HSIE Geography
Students apply geographical inquiry to a national park, collecting and organising fieldwork evidence about features, weather, living things and management. They interpret information and propose ways people can care for environments sustainably.
Factors that shape places excursion
Stage 3 | HSIE Geography
Students investigate how places change by using fieldwork and mapping to gather evidence about natural and human processes (e.g., erosion, land use, settlement). They interpret data and communicate explanations using geographical vocabulary and representations.
HSIE excursions by Stage
Early Stage 1 excursions
Students explore why places are special by observing natural and built features, sharing feelings and connections to place, and practising caring behaviours.
Stage 1 excursions
Students investigate local places and stories by asking questions, using simple maps, and using observations and shared sources to describe change and continuity.
Stage 2 excursions
Students apply geographical inquiry to a local environment, using fieldwork (observations, sketches, simple data) to explain how people use and care for environments.
Stage 3 excursions
Students conduct deeper geographical inquiry: mapping, data collection and interpretation to explain processes that shape places and evaluate sustainability or management options.
HSIE incursions by Stage
Early Stage 1 incursions
Students explore features of their school/local area using guided questioning, simple maps and storytelling about caring for places, including Aboriginal perspectives.
Stage 1 incursions
Students use photographs, simple sources and mapping tasks to describe places, people and local history/geography, then communicate findings with labelled visuals.
Stage 2 incursions
Students investigate a local issue or environment by collecting information, organising data in tables/graphs, and proposing ways people can care for places.
Stage 3 incursions
Students interpret maps, images and data to explain patterns and change, then evaluate options and justify a preferred action for a local place.
Learn with us
Book now
Book a HSIE K–6 school excursion or incursion with Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre online.
Learning resources
Find digital learning resources, social stories and excursion preparation materials to suit HSIE excursions and incursions.
Flora and fauna fact sheets
Read our animal, plant and habitat fact sheets that can be used to support learning in HSIE.