Preparing for your excursion | What to bring | Field of Mars EEC
Be ready for your excursion to Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre in East Ryde, Sydney by checking what to expect and what to bring.
Use this page to help students, teachers and families prepare for an excursion with Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre.
Before your visit, watch the preparation video, check the program and location information, and make sure students bring the clothing, food, water and equipment needed for a safe day outdoors.
Most Field of Mars EEC excursions involve walking, fieldwork and outdoor learning in natural, urban or school-ground environments.
How can you prepare for your excursion?
Watch the short video below with your class before your visit. It shows what students may see and do during a typical Field of Mars EEC excursion.
Teachers should also check the relevant program page, location information, risk management advice and any social stories before the excursion day.
Share key information with all attending teachers, including arrival details, student medical needs, supervision arrangements, what students should bring and what to do in wet weather.
What should students bring on an excursion?
Students should be prepared for active outdoor learning. Clothing and equipment should be suitable for walking, sitting outside, collecting fieldwork data and spending time in changing weather.
Students should bring the items below unless their teacher or program information says otherwise.
Closed shoes
Wear sturdy enclosed shoes suitable for walking on bush tracks, grass, gravel, boardwalks and uneven ground.
Sports uniform
Wear school sports uniform or comfortable clothing suitable for active outdoor learning.
Hat
Bring a broad-brimmed, bucket or legionnaire-style hat for sun protection.
Backpack
Bring a small backpack to carry lunch, water, raincoat and personal items during the day.
Water bottle
Bring a full refillable water bottle. Students should carry their water during fieldwork.
Sunscreen
Apply sunscreen before arriving and bring sunscreen for reapplication during the day.
Insect repellent
Apply insect repellent before the excursion or bring repellent if your family uses it.
Raincoat
Bring a waterproof raincoat. Excursions may continue in light rain if conditions are safe.
Low waste lunch
Bring recess and lunch in reusable containers where possible. Students should take all rubbish home.
Should high school students bring anything extra for fieldwork?
Secondary students may need extra equipment for fieldwork, data collection and recording observations.
Teachers should check the program page and remind students what to bring before the excursion.
Clipboard
Bring a clipboard if your program includes fieldwork sheets, mapping or written data collection.
Pencil
Bring a pencil for recording fieldwork observations, sketches, measurements and notes.
Mobile device
Bring a charged mobile device only if directed by your teacher. Devices may be used for photography, mapping, data collection or digital fieldwork activities.
Before you leave school
Check student rolls, medical information and emergency contact details.
Make sure all students have suitable shoes, a hat, water, food and weather-appropriate clothing.
Bring any required student medication, first aid information and school procedures.
Check your program page and location page for arrival details, meeting points, bus access and supervision information.
Location information
Find maps, risk assessments, emergency access points, bus information and site details for Field of Mars EEC teaching locations.
Program information
Find program details, timetables, locations, supervision requirements and preparation information for excursions and incursions.
Learning resources
Find digital learning resources, social stories and excursion preparation materials.
Fact sheets
Read animal, plant, habitat, ecosystem and environment fact sheets to support learning before and after your visit.