Main location | Field of Mars Reserve, Pittwater Road, East Ryde Wallumedegal Country |
Supply bus driver with Field of Mars Reserve bus information. No bus entry into Field of Mars Reserve. |
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Field of Mars Reserve risk management plan | |
View the YouTube track overview videos. |
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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 No bus entry into Buffalo Creek Reserve carpark. |
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View the YouTube track overview video |
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Cost | DoE $24 per student - GST free Non-gov school cost $34 per student - GST free, minimum charge $600 |
COVID | COVID-19 safety plan |
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 | |
Supporting resources |
Eucalypt Forest - 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.
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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 - 10.15 | Introduction | Introduction |
10.15 - 10.30 | Recess | Recess |
10.30 - 12.00 | Create a catchment Investigating creeks |
Investigating bushland |
12.00 - 12.30 | Lunch |
Lunch |
12.30 - 2.00 | Investigating bushland | Create a catchment Investigating creeks |
2.00 - 2.15 | Conclusion then depart |
Conclusion then depart |
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.
Outcomes
A student:
Content
Environments shape places
Students:
investigate how the natural environment influences people and places
Humans shape places
Students:
Investigate how people influence places
Learning experiences will also support but not explicitly teach the following outcomes and content.
Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus (2017)
Outcomes
A student:
Content
Students:
describe how changing physical conditions in the environment affect the growth and survival of living things
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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