Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

Experience Engage Enable

Telephone02 9816 1298

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

Adaptations incursion program

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Teacher checklist

Location

Your school
Cost

2025 DoE $18 per student - GST free

2025 Non-gov school cost $20 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). 
Risk assessment Risk management plan
School preparation If possible provide one extra large learning space, with a screen or projector, for all participating classes for the duration of the day. The space needs to accommodate multiple classes.
Supporting resources

Student activities

Invertebrate Explorer - available free from Apple Books

Fact sheets
Medical or special needs Notify Field of Mars staff prior to incursion. 
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

 
The suggested timetable is suitable for up to four classses.
 
This program works best in two hour blocks. This might require some classes to start recess or lunch early or late.

Time

Classes
9.00 - 11.00

Class 1 and 2
11.30 - 1.30

Class 3 and 4

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Learning activities 

Students will learn about structural and behavioural adaptations of living things through a range of hands-on activities. Students will practise the scientific skills of observing to make inferences about the adaptations of a range of Australian plants and animals. Students record their findings in a field journal which can be used back in class for further investigation.

Inquiry question

  • How do the structural and behavioural features of animals and plants support survival?

Adaptations lab 

Students will be introduced to the concepts of structural and behavioural adaptations through a guided observation of  australian animals.

Students will collect and observe their own invertebrates and conduct and self-directed investigation of structural and behavioural adaptations.

Students will also explore the adaptations of a variety of Australian plants, animal specimens and skulls.

Students will use specialised equipment and tools to enhance their observation skills and record their findings in a fieldwork journal.

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Syllabus outcomes and content 

Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus (2024)

Knowledge of our world and beyond inspires sustainable solutions

Outcomes

  • Uses evidence to explain how scientific knowledge can be used to develop sustainable practices ST3-SCI-01
  • Interprets data to support explanations and arguments ST3-DAT-01

Content

Living things may change over millions of years, in response to their environments

  • Observe behavioural and structural adaptations of plants and animals, and suggest how these may help them survive in their environments

Creating written texts in Science and Technology

Outcome

  • Creates written texts to communicate understanding of scientific and technological concepts and processes ST3-CWT-01

Content

Creating written explanations of concepts and processes supports understanding of Science and Technology

  • Use compound and complex sentences and labelled diagrams to create a text that explains a process, concept or investigation

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

Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus (2017)

Outcome

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

Content

Adaptations of living things

  • 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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