Feathers, phasmids and leaves excursion 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	2025 DoE $25 per student - GST free 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 Schools are to confirm the number of students and classes at least 7 days prior to attending. Schools will be charged based on the number of students confirmed or number of students who attend on the day (whichever is greater).
Risk assessment	Field of Mars Reserve 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	Supporting student activities Invertebrate Explorer - available free from Apple Books. Phasmids - 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 30 working school days notice will incur a $600 administration fee. Cancellations with less than 7 working school days notice will incur the full cost for the program based on the original booking. Cancellations due to weather or fire danger are exempt from fees.

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	Invertebrate investigation Class classification Phasmid features
12.00 - 12.30	Lunch	Lunch
12.30 - 2.00	Invertebrate investigation Class classification Phasmid features	Bushwalk
2.00 - 2.15	Pack up, toilets and depart	Pack up, toilets and depart

Learning activities

Students group and classify invertebrates and other living things following examination of their observable features.

Inquiry questions

What are some of the features of living things and how can we group and classify them?
What invertebrate groups are the most abundant in the gardens of the Field of Mars Reserve?

Fieldwork

Bushwalk

Students will traverse the Field of Mars Reserve and explore the observable features of living things in their habitat. They will learn a number of ways to classify animals and plants. Students locate and classify plants and bush resources used by Darug Aboriginal Peoples for medicine, food, tools and shelter.

Invertebrate investigation

Students will make predictions on the abundance of different invertebrate groups. They will test their predictions by using fieldwork methods and scientific equipment to collect a variety of invertebrates. Collected specimens will be examined using magnifiers and classified using a dichotomous key. Students will then refer back to their predictions and draw conclusions.

Phasmid features

Students will take part in a close-up encounter with a variety of leaf and stick insect species. Students will draw, label and identify the observable features of a phasmid used in their classification as an insect.

Syllabus outcomes and content

Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus (2017)

Living world

Outcomes

compares features and characteristics of living and non-living things ST2-4LW-S
questions, plans and conducts scientific investigations, collects and summarises data and communicates using scientific representations ST2-1WS-S

Content

Classification of living things

collect data and identify patterns to group living things according to their external features, and distinguish them from non-living things
identify that science involves making predictions and describing patterns and relationships

Working Scientifically

Planning and conducting investigations

plan scientific investigations with guidance
conduct scientific investigations to find answers to questions
use appropriate materials and equipment safely
collect and record accurate, honest observations using labelled observational drawings, basic formal measurements and digital technologies as appropriate

Processing and analysing data

use a range of methods to represent data, including tables and column graphs
compare results with predictions

Communicating

represent and communicate observations, ideas and findings, using formal and informal representations

Curriculum note - this excursion is aligned with the language, learning models and experiences of the Primary Connections Stage 2 unit Feathers, Fur or Leaves?

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

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

Feathers, phasmids and leaves excursion 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

General enquiries

Follow us