Ecosystem dynamics | Stage 6 | Biology excursion | Field of Mars EEC

Cost and details

Cost 2026	DoE school $27 per student – GST free Non-gov school $37 per student – GST free, minimum charge $750 per class
Classes	Maximum 6 classes per day - maximum 3 classes per location.
Bring	View Preparing for your excursion. Bring worksheet, writing equipment, clipboard, medications, low-waste food, water bottles, sunblock, hat and raincoat in a backpack. Sports uniform recommended. This program requires students to use a mobile device to record data. Inform the centre if devices are not permitted.
Welfare	Rugged bushwalking, not wheelchair accessible. 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

Worksheet and supporting resources

Worksheet	Worksheet Schools are responsible for printing student worksheets.
Teacher resources	Teacher programming folder
Supporting resources	Ecosystem dynamics - Google site Fieldwork techniques
Pre-visit learning	Pre-fieldwork student activities Fieldwork techniques YouTube playlist

Suggested timetable

Time	Activities
9.30 - 10.00	Introduction and fieldwork preparation Food break and toilets
10.00 - 10.50	Fieldwork activity 1
10.50 - 11.20	Food break
11.20 - 12.10	Fieldwork activity 2
12.10 - 12.40	Food break and toilets
12.40 - 1.30	Fieldwork activity 3
1.30 - 2.00	Data processing and conclusions
2.00 - 2.15	Pack up and depart

Syllabus outcomes and content

Biology Stage 6 Syllabus (2017)

Outcomes

A student:

• develops and evaluates questions and hypotheses for scientific investigation BIO11/12-1
• designs and evaluates investigations in order to obtain primary and secondary data and information BIO11/12-2
• conducts investigations to collect valid and reliable primary and secondary data and information BIO11/12-3
• selects and processes appropriate qualitative and quantitative data and information using a range of appropriate media BIO11/12-4
• analyses and evaluates primary and secondary data and information BIO11/12-5
• analyses ecosystem dynamics and the interrelationships of organisms within the ecosystem BIO11-11

Module 4 Ecosystem Dynamics

Content

Students investigate and determine relationships between biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem, including:

• the impact of abiotic factors
• the impact of biotic factors, including predation, competition and symbiotic relationships
• the ecological niches occupied by species
• predicting consequences for populations in ecosystems due to predation, competition, symbiosis and disease
• measuring populations of organisms using sampling techniques

Students analyse evidence that present-day organisms have evolved from organisms in the past by examining and interpreting a range of secondary sources to evaluate processes, claims and conclusions relating to the evolution of organisms in Australia, for example:

• small mammals

Students investigate changes in past ecosystems that may inform our approach to the management of future ecosystems, including:

• the role of human-induced selection pressures on the extinction of species
• models that humans can use to predict future impacts on biodiversity
• the role of changing climate on ecosystems

Students investigate practices used to restore damaged ecosystems, country or place, for example:

• mining sites
• land degradation

Biology Stage 6 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2017