Experience Engage Enable
T: Telephone02 9816 1298
| Location | Start - Magdala Park, Magdala Rd, East Ryde Finish - Buffalo Creek Reserve, 117 Pittwater Rd, Hunters Hill Wallumedegal Country |
| Bus access | Supply bus driver with Buffalo Creek Reserve bus information No bus entry into Buffalo Creek Reserve carpark. |
| Cost | DoE $24 per student - GST free Non-gov school cost $34 per student - GST free, minimum charge $600 |
| Risk assessment | Risk management plan All staff and adult visitors must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination. |
| Tracks | View the YouTube track overview video (note the walk is filmed in reverse). |
| Welfare | Participants will be bushwalking all day in rugged terrain. This excursion may not be suitable for people who have recently been unwell. Toilets are only available at the beginning and end of the day. |
| Bring | Writing materials, mobile device for audiovisual recording, medications, low-waste food, two water bottles, sunblock, hat, raincoat and mask in a backpack. Sports uniform recommended. There are no shops. |
| View | Preparing for an excursion |
| Supporting resources | Available on confirmation of booking. |
| Bin access | All student waste to be taken home by students. |
| 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 three school weeks' notice will incur a $500 administration fee. This does not apply to cancellations due to weather, fire danger or COVID-19 restrictions. |
Time |
Activities |
9.30 - 10.00 |
Arrive and introduction at Magdala Park (toilets) |
10.00 - 11.30 |
Activity 1/Site 1 - Investigating biophysical interactions |
11.30 - 11.50 |
Recess at Magdala Park (toilets) |
11.50 - 12.30 |
Activity 2/Site 2 - Investigating human interactions |
12.30 - 1.00 |
Activity 3/Site 3 - Investigating fire |
1.00 - 1.30 |
Lunch at Buffalo Creek Reserve (toilets) |
1.30 - 2.00 |
Conclusion |
2.15 |
Depart from Buffalo Creek Reserve |
Students will work in pairs or groups to undertake geographic inquiry in the field. Geographic questions that focus on environmental functioning and management will be asked and data will be collected using different fieldwork techniques. Conclusions are made on how forest environments can be sustainably managed within Lane Cove National Park.
Inquiry questions
Fieldwork
Introduction - Magdala Park
Students will assemble in Magdala Park and be introduced to the day’s fieldwork investigations. Sources such as plans of management, maps and spatial data will be examined to stimulate student inquiry. Students will be guided through the planning process for fieldwork investigations including ethical considerations, equipment and methodologies and preparing for outdoor activities.
Site 1 - Magdala Park
Students will investigate the forests on the ridge at Magdala Park. These forests have been classified as Sydney Coastal Dry Sclerophyll Forests on sandstone ridges and gullies.
Students will use scientific equipment and observation to identify abiotic and biotic features of the forest. Global and local factors for the establishment of the vegetation community will be examined. Conclusions will be drawn that recognise the interactions between the different components of the biophysical environment.
Optional activites may include an investigation into plant adaptive features and a game that explores ecosystem resilience and vunerability.
Site 2 - The Great North Walk
As students walk from site 1 to site 3 they will identify human interactions and examine how these interactions impact biodiversity. A focus on some of the species found within the park including their ecological role and population change provide working examples of human induced impact. Students will record field notes and photographs with the spatial technology app EpiCollect5. Students may also wish to particupate in citizen science and record species in the area using the iNaturalist app.
Site 3 - Great North Walk Sugarloaf Hill
Students will explore the effects of fire in the dry sclerophyll forests of Sugarloaf Hill. Spatial datasets will be used to examine fire history and students will assess appropriate actions for future fire management.
Geography Stage 6 Syllabus (2009)
Outcomes
A student:
describes the interactions between the four components (atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere) which define the biophysical environment (P2)
explains how a specific environment functions in terms of biophysical factors (P3)
identifies the vocational relevance of a geographical perspective (P6)
selects, organises and analyses relevant geographical information from (a variety of sources) the direct observations in the fieldwork (P8)
uses maps, graphs and statistics, photographs and fieldwork to conduct geographical enquiries (P9)
address
220 Pittwater Road,
East Ryde NSW 2112
telephone 02 9816 1298
We would like to pay our respects and acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land and also pay respect to Elders both past and present.
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