Factors that shape places excursion program

Teacher checklist

Main location	Field of Mars Reserve, Pittwater Road, East Ryde Wallumedegal Country Google maps - Apple maps
	Supply bus driver with Field of Mars Reserve bus information. No bus entry into Field of Mars Reserve.
	Field of Mars Reserve risk management plan
	View the YouTube track overview videos. Doyle and Warada loop track Strangers Creek loop track Buffalo Creek track
Alternate location	Classes A, B Start - Buffalo Creek Reserve - 117 Pittwater Rd, Hunters Hill Finish - Magdala Park - Magdala Rd, East Ryde Classes C, D Start - Magdala Park - Magdala Rd, East Ryde Finish - Buffalo Creek Reserve - 117 Pittwater Rd, Hunters Hill Wallumedegal Country
	Supply bus driver with Buffalo Creek Reserve bus information Magdala Park bus information No bus entry into Buffalo Creek Reserve carpark.
	Magdala Park to Buffalo Creek Reserve risk management plan
	View the YouTube track overview video Buffalo Creek Reserve to Magdala Park track
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).
Welfare	Participants will be bushwalking during the day in rugged terrain. Limited wheelchair accessibility. Email to confirm with location. 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 Eucalypt Forest - available free from Apple Books Animal and plant 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 - 10.15	Introduction	Introduction
10.15 - 10.30	Recess	Recess
10.30 - 12.00	Create a catchment Investigating waterways	Investigating bushland
12.00 - 12.30	Lunch	Lunch
12.30 - 2.00	Investigating bushland	Create a catchment Investigating waterways
2.00 - 2.15	Conclusion then depart	Conclusion then depart

Learning activities

Students undertake geographical inquiry in bushland to investigate its features, human influences and natural values.

Inquiry questions

What are the geographical features of the Field of Mars Reserve or Lane Cove National Park?
How is the reserve managed for people, places and the environment?
What actions can be undertaken to sustainably manage the nature reserves into the future?

Fieldwork

Create a catchment

Students will be introduced to the day's inquiry by creating a natural model of a catchment area. Scenarios that replicate human activites are investigated and impacts observed to develop student knowledge and understanding.

Waterways investigations

Students will investigate Buffalo Creek or Kittys Creek. Plant surveys will explore how pollutants have modified the riparian zone and animal surveys will lead students to understand how the health of a waterway supports the needs of aquatic and terrestrial animal species. Chemical and physical water testing will be conducted to assess the water quality the creek.

Bushland investigations

The way people use and value urban bushland sites are key considerations for how they are managed. The Field of Mars Reserve and Lane Cove National Parks are managed as a wildlife refuge. Students will develop greater understanding in how people influence natural areas through bushland exploration and immersing themselves into the activities people enjoy in the reserve.

Syllabus outcomes and content

Geography K-10 Syllabus (2015)

Factors that shape places

Outcomes

describes the diverse features and characteristics of places and environments GE3-1
explains interactions and connections between people, places and environments GE3-2
compares and contrasts influences on the management of places and environments GE3-3
acquires, processes and communicates geographical information using geographical tools for inquiry GE3-4

Content

Environments shape places

investigate how the natural environment influences people and places

Humans shape places

Investigate how people influence places

Other syllabus links

Learning experiences will also support but not explicitly teach the following outcomes and content:

Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus (2017)

Outcomes

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

Content

describe how changing physical conditions in the environment affect the growth and survival of living things

Geography K-10 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2015

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

Factors that shape places 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

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