Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

Experience Engage Enable

Telephone02 9816 1298

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

Documentary in a day incursion program

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Teacher checklist

Location

Your school and/or local site
Risk management plan
Cost

2025 DoE $25 per student - GST free

2025 Non-gov school cost $28 per student - 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). 
School preparation

Please provide one learning space, with a smart board, for all participating classes for the duration of the day. The space needs to accommodate multiple classes.
Welfare

If leaving school participants might be bushwalking during the day in rugged terrain.

This incursion may not be suitable for people who have recently been unwell.
Bring

Backpack, medication, low-waste food, water bottle, sunblock, raincoat, hat, sturdy shoes, mask.

Students wear reusable name tag and sports uniform.
View Preparing for an excursion
Supporting resources

Student activities

Eucalypt forest digital book - available free from Apple Books

Animal and plant fact sheets
Parent/carer helpers Optional one parent per class, no siblings. Closed shoes essential.
Medical or special needs

Notify Field of Mars staff prior to incursion. 

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 incursion 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 three classes

 
Actual times may vary.

Time

Activities
9.00 - 9.30

Introductory keynote and equipment distribution
9.30 - 10.00 Introduction to filming and editing 
10.00 - 10.30 Documentary planning
10.30 - 11.00 Recess
11.30 - 1.00

Mobile filmmaking 
1.00 - 1.45

Lunch
1.45 - 2.30 Post-production editing
2.30

Finish 

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Documentary in a day incursion

English

Program

Students will be introduced to the techniques of documentary film making. They will create an documentary using iPads showcasing the habitat features of natural areas in their school.

Learning intention

We are learning to create a nature documentary about habitats.

Activities  

Workshop

Students will be introduced to the process of documentary making. They will learn production steps, narration, camera techniques and editing. 

Mobile filmmaking 

Students will work in groups of two to develop scripts based on field observations at various outdoor locations around the school grounds. They will use photos and videos, incorporating camera techniques, to bring their scripts to life.

Editing

Students will learn how to use iMovie to edit their documentary, including sequencing, adjusting timing, adding titles, captions, sound, voiceovers, and background music.

All completed videos will be returned to your school via Google Drive.

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Syllabus outcomes and content

English K-10 Syllabus (2022)

Creating written texts

Outcomes

  • plans, creates and revises written texts for informative purposes, using text features, sentence-level grammar, punctuation and word-level language for a target audience EN2-CWT-02

Content

Informative purposes

  • Create informative written texts that include headings, paragraphs beginning with topic sentences, and may conclude information in a final paragraph
  • Create written texts that describe experiences and observations to connect with and inform an audience

Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus (2024)

Physical and living systems depend on energy

Outcomes

  • Uses information to investigate the solar system and the effects of energy on living, physical and geological systems ST2-SCI-01

Content

Living things depend on energy and materials to survive

  • Describe how the needs of living things are provided by the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere

  • Describe the relationship between habitat, ecosystem and environment
  • Observe and describe living and non-living things in a habitat
  • Describe ways in which plants and animals depend on each other for survival

English K–10 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2022.

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, 2024

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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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