Learning activities
Students investigate the natural and human features of the Field of Mars Reserve, the characteristics of places within the reserve and consider how they can care for them.
Key questions
- What are the features of the Field of Mars Reserve?
- What makes places in the Field of Mars Reserve special to people?
- How can we care for the places we visit?
Fieldwork
Animals in places
Students use their senses to explore the banks of Buffalo Creek and the parkland, bushland and rocky outcrops nearby. Students use a pictorial map to plan their route, hear the Aboriginal Dreaming story of Garigan the blue-tongue lizard and create a clay model of a blue-tongue lizard to take back to school.
People in places
Located on a sandstone platform surrounded by eucalyptus trees and shrubs, students work together to reach this special place using their pictorial maps. Other immersive activities may include a nature spot, hand-lens micro-hiking, symphony of bush sounds and a treasure hunt of natural materials. These multisensory activities will allow students develop a personal connection to the forest.
Students will also visit a peaceful area where grassy recreational spaces mix with the bushland. Areas such as this have distinct meanings for Aboriginal Peoples and other people. After hearing some stories of people and place students are given freedom to plan, create and construct their own shelters using the abundant natural materials.