Forces incursion
Stage 4 Science
Program
During this 2 hour incursion, students will be introduced to a variety of Aboriginal tools, technologies and simple machines and learn about the forces involved in their design, construction, form and use. This program emphasises the application of Working Scientifically and Data Science skills, and can be used to support an assessment task or depth study.
Activities
Tools and technologies workshop (1 hour)
Students will create, use, and test a range of traditional tools and technologies, including the use of fire drills to generate heat, grinding stones to create stone tools, and traditional clubs to facilitate hunting. Through guided questioning, students will make inferences about the application of the knowledge of forces in these everyday activities and record their findings in a student workbook.
Woomera investigation (1 hour)
Students investigate the traditional practice of spear throwing among Aboriginal Peoples. After being introduced to the woomera and its use as a lever, students will conduct a scientific experiment to compare the distance of throwing a spear with and without the aid of a woomera. Students will collect and record primary data in a workbook.
Location
Your school
Essential information
| Cost 2025 |
DoE school $18 per student – GST free Non-gov school $26 per student – GST free, minimum charge $750 |
| Cost 2026 |
DoE school $18 per student – GST free Non-gov school $26 per student – GST free, minimum charge $750 per session |
| Program length |
Recommended 2 hours per session. Maximum 2 sessions per day. |
| Classes | Maximum 4 classes per day - maximum 2 classes per session. |
| Risk assessment and risk management advice | Risk management plan |
| Worksheet |
Students will be provided with a workbook. Teachers will be provided with sample responses post-visit. |
| School preparation | Please provide one large outdoor space and one large indoor or sheltered learning space (for example, hall or double classroom) for all participating classes for the duration of the day. |
| Medical or additional needs | Notify Field of Mars staff prior to incursion. |
| 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 |
| Duration | Learning activity | Location |
| 1 hour | Tools and technologies workshop | Large indoor space or sheltered outdoor area |
| 1 hour | Woomera investigation | Oval or large, open outdoor space |
Recommended program length is 2 hours.
Learning activities can run in either order.
Sessions with 2 classes will alternate activities.
| Time | Classes |
| 9.00 - 11.00 | Classes A and B |
| 11.30 - 1.30 | Classes C and D |
Please include your school's bell times in the notes section of your booking form.
This program works best as a 2 hour session. This might require some classes to start recess or lunch early or late.
More than 4 classes will need to book an additional day.
Science 7-10 Syllabus (2023)
Outcomes
A student:
- SC4-FOR-01 describes the effects of forces in everyday contexts
- SC4-WS-02 identifies questions and makes predictions to guide scientific investigations
- SC4-WS-05 uses a variety of ways to process and represent data
- SC4-WS-06 uses data to identify trends, patterns and relationships, and draw conclusions
- SC4-WS-07 identifies problem-solving strategies and proposes solutions
Content
Forces
Simple machines in everyday life
- Identify examples of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ application of Knowledge about forces
Working scientifically
Questioning and predicting
- Identify questions and problems that can be investigated scientifically
Conducting investigations
- Assemble and use appropriate equipment and resources to perform an investigation
- Follow the planned procedure, including the measurement and control of variables
- Record observations and measurements accurately, using correct units for physical quantities
Processing data and information
- Use a range of representations to organise data, including graphs, keys, models, diagrams, tables and spreadsheets
- Calculate the mean and range of a dataset
Science and Technology 7-10 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2023
