Learning activities
Students investigate the features of the Field of Mars Reserve, the characteristics of places within the reserve and consider how they can care for them.
Inquiry questions
- What is it like in the Field of Mars Reserve?
- What makes places in the Field of Mars Reserve special to people?
- How can we look after the places we visit?
Fieldwork
Sensory exploration of 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 bind raffia string on a stick to simulate the texture of a lizard’s back.
People in places
This activity takes place in 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.
Forest 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.