This learning resource is designed to support secondary science and geography students' understandings of fieldwork techniques and equipment used to collect primary data.

It can be used as pre-learning for students participating in an incursion or excursion with the Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre, or to assist students in the development and design of their own fieldwork investigations.

Selecting fieldwork equipment

When participating in fieldwork it is important to select appropriate equipment.

View the gallery to preview a selection of commonly used fieldwork equipment and their purposes.

Quadrat

Estimate abundance and cover

Kestrel 3000

Measure atmospheric variables

Light meter

Measure light intensity

Surface infrared thermometer

Measure surface temperature

Sound meter

Measure noise levels

Clinometer

Measure slope gradient

Rangefinder

Measure distances and heights

Measuring tape

Measure distances, heights and circumferences

Soil moisture meter

Measure soil moisture levels

Soil depth spike

Measure soil depth

Soil pH test kit

Measure soil pH

Soil texture chart

Classify soil type

Terrestrial macroinvertebrate survey

Safely collect invertebrates

Animal field guide

Identify animal species

Scat identification chart

Identify animal evidence

Plant field guide

Identify plant species

Foliage cover chart  (Specht, 1970)

Estimate foliage cover

Turbidity tube

Measure water turbidity

Phosphate chemical test

Measure phosphate concentration in water

Dissolved oxygen chemical test

Measure oxygen concentration in water

Aquatic macroinvertebrate survey

Collect aquatic invertebrates

Fieldwork instrument guide

Access the fieldwork instrument guide  for descriptions and purchasing suggestions for common fieldwork instruments.

Using fieldwork equipment

When conducting investigations we can:

• identify the equipment used to measure different environmental factors
• follow procedures for using specialised equipment
• evaluate methods to minimise bias and address sources of error

Abiotic factors

Instructional information on sampling methods and equipment used to measure and record non-living factors.

Biotic factors

Instructional information on sampling methods and equipment used to measure and record living factors.

Mobile technologies

Useful mobile apps to collect, record and collate fieldwork data.