Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre logo

Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

Experience Engage Enable

Telephone02 9816 1298

Emailfieldofmar-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Documentary in a day program

Teacher checklist

Location

Field of Mars Reserve, Pittwater Road, East Ryde

Wallumedegal Country

Google maps - Apple maps

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 $34 per student - GST free, minimum charge $700

Term 1 - Catholic school Weeks 3 to 7 cost = DoE cost - GST free, minimum charge $700

Risk assessment

Risk management plan

COVID-19 safety plan

Tracks

View the YouTube track overview videos.

Buffalo Creek Track

Doyle and Warada loop track

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

Habitat digital book - available free from Apple Books

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. 

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 three classes

Time

Classes A, B, C

9.45 - 10.15 Introduction
10.15 - 10.45 Recess
10.45 - 11.00 Equipment distribution
11.00 - 1.00 Mobile filmmaking 
1.00 - 1.30 Lunch
1.30 - 2.00 Mobile filmmaking 
2.15 Depart


Learning activities

Students will be introduced to the techniques of mobile documentary filmmaking. They will create an informative and entertaining documentary on iPads showcasing the incredible habitats within the Field of Mars Reserve.

Introduction

In the classroom, students will be introduced to the process of documentary making. A Field of Mars produced documentary is shown to outline the production steps, narration, camera techniques and editing. 

Mobile filmmaking in the reserve

During this session each class will operate in a variety of bushland locations. Students will be working in groups of two.

At each location students will develop a script through field observations and research using a variety of multimodal digital texts. 

Students will take photos and videos to bring their script to life. They will be explicitly taught a variety of camera techniques including camera angles, camera shots and camera movements to enhance their imagery.

Students will be taught how to use iMovie to begin editing their documentary in the field. They will learn how to sequence, adjusting timing, add titles, add captions, modify sound, record voiceovers and add appropriate background music.

All completed movies will be returned to the school via Google Drive.



Syllabus outcomes and content

English K-10 Syllabus 2022

Outcome

Oral language and communication 

  • Communicates with familiar audiences for social and learning purposes, by interacting, understanding and presenting EN2-OLC-01

Content

Oral language and communication – Presenting

  • Plan and deliver spoken presentations using language and structure to suit purpose and audience

  • Adjust volume, pace and intonation to enhance meaning when presenting and reciting

  • Include multimodal features in planned and delivered presentations, to expand meaning and engage an audience

  • Reflect on and monitor own presentations according to given criteria.

English K–10 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2022.