Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

Experience Engage Enable

Telephone02 9816 1298

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

Factors that shape places excursion program

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A turtle

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

Investigating waterways

 Investigating bushland
12.00 - 12.30

 Lunch

 Lunch
12.30 - 2.00 Investigating bushland   Investigating waterways
2.00 - 2.15

Conclusion and depart

Conclusion and depart

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Factors that shape places excursion

HSIE geography

Program

How are nature reserves managed for people and the environment? During this excursion Stage 3 students will undertake geographical inquiry in the Field of Mars Reserve or Lane Cove National Park to investigate its geographical features, human influences and natural values. Students use primary data and their own experiences to evaluate management practices as they consider the future of the reserve/national park. 

Learning intentions

  • We are learning to describe how people influence the environment in the Field of Mars Reserve or Lane Cove National Park.
  • We are learning to describe how the environment influences people and places in the Field of Mars Reserve or Lane Cove National Park.

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. 

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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

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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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