Experience Engage Enable
T: Telephone02 9816 1298
| Location | Field of Mars Reserve, 220 Pittwater Road, East Ryde Wallumedegal Country |
| Bus access | Supply bus driver with Field of Mars Reserve bus information No bus entry into Field of Mars Reserve. |
| Cost | 2023 DoE $25 per student - GST free 2023 Non-gov school cost $35 per student - GST free, minimum charge $600 |
| Risk assessment | Risk management plan COVID-19 safety plan |
| Tracks | View the YouTube track overview videos |
| 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 |
Arrival and introduction at Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre |
| 10.00 - 10.20 | Recess and toilets |
10.30 - 11.30 |
Activity 1 - Investigating the Coastal Enriched Sandstone Dry Forest |
11.30 - 12.30 |
Activity 2 - Investigating the Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest |
12.30 - 1.00 |
Lunch at Tyrell Park |
1.00 - 2.00 |
Activity 3 - Investigating human interactions |
2.00 - 2.15 |
Conclusion and depart |
Students will work in small groups to undertake geographic inquiry in the field.
Geographic questions that focus on the nature and functioning of the four spheres will be asked and data will be collected using different fieldwork techniques. Conclusions are made on how different biophysical interactions influence the different vegetation communities.
Students locate evidence of human interactions with the biophysical environment at the Field of Mars Reserve, and investigate the impact of human activity on the four spheres. Recognising human impacts on the functioning of the environments informs the actions required for sustainable managment.
Inquiry questions
What are the biophysical interactions which influence the different vegetation communities at the Field of Mars Reserve?
How do people impact the functioning of the four spheres of the biophysical environment in the Field of Mars Reserve?
Fieldwork
Introduction - Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre
Students will assemble at the centre 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.
Activity 1 - Coastal Enriched Sandstone Dry Forest
Students will use scientific equipment and observation to identify abiotic and biotic factors of the forest. The effects of these biophysical factors on 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.
Activity 2 - Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest
Students repeat testing in this second site to compare and contrast the nature and interactions that occur in the different vegetation communities.
Activity 3 - Human interactions
Students will go an exploratory scavenger hunt to identify and observe various management issues affecting the reserve. Students will use mobile apps to examine the human interactions which led to these issues, investigate how these interactions impact the biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and/or atmosphere, and locate the position and extent of these impacts.
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’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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