Ranger for a day program

Teacher checklist

Main Location	Field of Mars Reserve, Pittwater Road, East Ryde Wallumedegal Country Google maps - Apple maps
	Supply bus driver with Field of Mars Reserve bus information
	Field of Mars Reserve risk management plan
	View the YouTube track overview videos. Buffalo Creek track Doyle and Warada loop track Strangers Creek loop track
Alternate location	Buffalo Creek Reserve, 117 Pittwater Road, Hunters Hill Wallumedegal Country Google maps - Apple maps
	Supply bus driver with Buffalo Creek bus information. No bus entry into Buffalo Creek Reserve carpark.
	Buffalo Creek Reserve risk management plan
	View the YouTube track overview videos. Sugarloaf Point loop track
Cost	2024 DoE $24 per student - GST free 2025 DoE $25 per student - GST free 2024 Non-gov school cost $34 per student - GST free, minimum charge $700 2025 Non-gov school cost $35 per student - GST free, minimum charge $750 Term 1 - Catholic school Weeks 3 to 7 cost = DoE cost - GST free, minimum charge $750
Bring	Backpack, medication, low-waste food, water bottle, sunblock, raincoat, hat, sturdy shoes. Students wear reusable name tag and sports uniform.
View	Preparing for an excursion
Supporting resources	Supporting student activities Fact sheets
Bin access	All student waste to be taken home by students.
Parent/carer helpers	Optional one parent per class, no siblings. Closed shoes essential.
Medical or special needs	Notify Field of Mars staff prior to excursion. Limited wheelchair accessibility. Email to confirm with location. Students, staff and visitors must not attend if unwell, even with mild symptoms.
Extreme or wet weather	Days predicted to be above 35ºC, high winds, extreme bush fire danger and dust storms may result in the excursion being modified, postponed or cancelled.
Cancellations	Cancellations with less than four school weeks' notice will incur a $500 administration fee. This does not apply to cancellations due to weather or fire danger.

Suggested timetable for up to four classes

Time	Classes A, B	Classes C, D
9.45 - 10.30	Introduction Recess and toilets	Introduction Recess and toilets
10.30 - 12.00	Bushwalk	Habitat development Insect hotel
12.00 - 12.30	Lunch	Lunch
12.30 - 2.00	Habitat development Insect hotel	Bushwalk
2.00 - 2.15	Pack up and depart	Pack up and depart

Learning activities

Students role play being a park ranger. They will use maps for checking on animal habitats and checking on the bush walking tracks. They will improve a habitat for school by making an insect hotel.

Inquiry questions

Where do animals live in the reserve?
What makes a place suitable for an animal to survive?
How can we improve an area to help living things thrive?

Fieldwork

Bushwalk

Dressed as rangers, students will explore natural areas looking at animal habitats. Through hands-on activities, students will explore what makes a habitat suitable and whether the rangers can help to improve the environment. Field of Mars EEC will provide child-sized high-vis ranger vests for this activity.

Habitat improvement

Students investigate the reserve to determine habitat suitability for a range of animals. They will design their own mini scale national park providing habitat for a range of animals.

Build an insect hotel

Using an interactive game students will learn about the types of homes liked by some insects. Using materials and tools provided students will produce an insect hotel to take back to school, one per class. The insect hotel should be placed off the ground, hung on a wall or placed on a bench, near a garden bed to provide a home for insects.

Syllabus outcomes and content

Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus (2017)

Outcomes

A student:

describes observable features of living things and their environments ST1-4LW-S
uses materials, tools and equipment to develop solutions for a need or opportunity ST1-2DP-T

Content

Working scientifically skills

Producing and implementing

effectively manage a variety of tools
manipulate a range of materials for a purpose
segment and sequence steps for making designed solutions

Living things live in different places

Students:

identify that living things live in different places that suit their needs
design and produce an environment that provides habitat for insects
recgonise that people use science and technology in their daily lives when caring for living things, including when caring for their environment and living things

Geography K-10 Syllabus (2015)

Outcomes

A student:

identifies ways in which people interact with and care for places GE1-2
communicates geographical information and uses geographical tools for inquiry GE1-3

Content

Features of places

Students:

investigate features of places and how they can be cared for

Learning across the curriculum

Sustainability – protection of environments.

Civics and citizenship – students develop a sense of local responsibility.

Geography K-10 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2015

Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2017

Additional resource - Habitat Digital book for iPads and Macs

Return to program summary

Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

address Field of Mars Reserve
Pittwater Road
East Ryde NSW 2112

telephone 02 9816 1298

email fieldofmar-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Get directions

Ranger for a day program

Teacher checklist

Suggested timetable for up to four classes

Time

Classes A, B

Classes C, D

Learning activities

Syllabus outcomes and content

Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

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