Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

Experience Engage Enable

Telephone02 9816 1298

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

Adaptations program

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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

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
Risk assessment Field of Mars Reserve risk management plan
Welfare

Students will be outdoors most of the day, walking 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

Student activities

Fact sheets
Bin access

All student waste to be taken home by students.
Parent/carer helpers Optional one or two parents 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 four classes

Time

Classes A and B

Classes C and D
9.45 - 10.30

Introduction, recess and toilets
10.30 - 12.00 Adaptations bushwalk Invertebrate investigations
12.00 - 12.30

Lunch and toilets
12.30 - 2.00 Invertebrate investigations Adaptations bushwalk
2.00 - 2.15

Conclusion, pack up and depart

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possum sitting on tree branch

Learning activities 

Students will learn about structural and behavioural adaptations of Australian plants and animals through a range of hands-on activities. They will investigate adaptations in an adaptations lab, investigate the adaptations of plants and animals on a bushwalk and discover some of the behavioural adaptations of Australian animals during an active game.

Inquiry question

  • How do the structural and behavioural features of living things support survival?

Adaptations lab 

Students will be introduced to the concepts of structural and behavioural adaptations through a guided observation of a spiny-leaf insect on the IWB. Students will collect and observe their own invertebrates and conduct and self-directed investigation of structural and behavioural adaptations. Students will use specialised equipment and tools to enhance their observation skills and record their findings in a fieldwork journal.

Adaptations bushwalk

Students will explore the Field of Mars Reserve looking for different structural and behavioural adaptations of a range of native plants and animals. Students will explore different ways of recording scientific information in their fieldwork journal.

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Syllabus outcomes and content 

Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus (2017)

Outcomes

A student:

  • examines how the environment affects the growth, survival and adaptation of living things ST3-4LW-S 

Content

Adaptations of living things

Students:

  • describe adaptations as existing structures or behaviours that enable living things to survive in their environment

  • describe the structural and/or behavioural features of some native Australian animals and plants and why they are considered to be adaptations

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

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Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

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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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