Location | Field of Mars Reserve, Pittwater Road, East Ryde Wallumedegal Country |
Bus access | Supply bus driver with Field of Mars Reserve bus information No bus entry into Field of Mars Reserve. |
Cost | DoE $24 per student - GST free Non-gov school cost $34 per student - GST free, minimum charge $600 |
Risk assessment | |
Tracks | View the YouTube track overview videos. |
Welfare | Participants will be bushwalking during the day in rugged terrain. Limited wheelchair accessibility. This excursion may not be suitable for people who have recently been unwell. |
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 | Eucalypt forest digital book - available free from Apple Books |
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. 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. |
Time |
Classes A, B, C |
9.45 - 10.30 | Introduction - taking great photos |
10.30 - 10.45 | Recess |
10.45 - 12.15 | Field photography |
12.15 - 12.45 | Lunch |
12.45 - 1.45 | Photo finish - editing, printing and digital book creation |
1.45 - 2.00 | Photo gallery |
2.15 | Depart |
Students will be introduced to the techniques and methods of digital photography. They will create a portfolio of the special features of the bushland found in the Field of Mars Reserve.
Introduction
Taking great photos
In the classroom, students will be introduced to skills, techniques and methodologies of digital photography. Topics will include how to take a photo with an iPad, rule of thirds, composition and macro photography.
Time will be provided to practise some of these techniques in the bush. Where appropriate, these will be linked to students’ existing understanding of visual literacy.
Fieldwork
Students will work collaboratively to select photo subjects, to compose and frame shots and to identify creative ways to express their photographs. Field of Mars teachers will present photographic challenges to extend students' photographic experiences.
Using a nature theme will focus students on the task of finding opportunities to create images that represent life within a wildlife reserve whilst also practising photography techniques. A theme related to current class learning topics can also be used, such as national parks, plants and habitats.
Publishing
Photo finish
The students will review and edit their photographs taken in the field, choosing the best examples of life in the reserve.
Using their best photographs, students will construct a photo story using the Book Creator app running on an iPad. The completed book will be saved as a PDF or ePub file and sent to the school via Google Drive.
Each student's best photograph will be printed on A4 photo paper at Field of Mars EEC. These will be delivered to the school with a photo frame at a later date.
Photo gallery
Students view a slide show of the day's best photographs and discuss the features and techniques used.
Framed photographs
Back at school, the framed photographs can be used to create a gallery which provides the opportunity for students to view each other's work, discuss the techniques used and the special features of each photograph.
Creative Arts K-6 Syllabus (2006)
Outcomes
A student:
Other syllabus links
Learning experiences will also support but not explicitly teach the following outcomes and content.
Geography K-10 Syllabus (2015)
Outcomes
A student:
Content
Different environments
Students:
investigate the natural characteristics of Australia
address
Field of Mars Reserve
Pittwater Road
East Ryde NSW 2112
telephone 02 9816 1298
We’d like to acknowledge the Wallumedegal Peoples of the Darug Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we stand and pay our respects to Elders past and present.
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