Experience Engage Enable
T: Telephone02 9816 1298
| 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. |
| View | |
Supporting resources |
Invertebrate Explorer - available free from Apple Books. Phasmids - 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 |
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 |
Students group and classify invertebrates and other living things following examination of their observable features.
Inquiry questions
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.
Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus (2017)
Outcomes
A student:
Content
Classification of living things
Students:
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
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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