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 | |
| Tracks | View the YouTube track overview videos. |
| Welfare | Participants will be bushwalking during the 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 | Backpack, medication, low-waste food, water bottle, sunblock, raincoat, hat, sturdy shoes, mask. There are no shops near the study site. |
| Student devices | This program relies on students bringing their own mobile devices for data collection, photography and video-making. Please inform us if your school has a no-phone rule. |
| 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 |
9.45 - 10.15 |
Introduction at the Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre |
| 10.15 - 10.30 | Recess (toilets) |
| 10.45 - 12.45 | Sites 1 and 2 |
| 12.45 - 1.15 | Lunch in Tyrrell Park |
| 1.15 - 1.45 | Site 3 |
| 1.45 - 2.15 | Conclusion and depart (toilets) |
Immersed in the Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest students will engage in fieldwork to examine the functioning and management of this ecosystem at risk.
Inquiry questions
Fieldwork
Students will commence the fieldwork investigation in the Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre. Students will be introduced to the reserve, the purpose of the fieldwork, the questions for geographical inquiry and the data collection methodologies. Working in small groups students will collet data in several locations in the Field of Mars Reserve.
Site 1 - Strangers Creek constructed wetlands
Cross section diagram with spatial, ecological and human biophysical factors. Causes, impacts and solutions of/to the stormwater pollution issue at Strangers Creek (immediately adjacent to site 2).
Site 2 - Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest
Record measurements relating to biophysical factors; atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere and vegetation structure (biosphere). Identify the interconnections in the forest and identify vunerabilities.
Site 3 - Lower Strangers Creek
Physical, chemical and biological water quality testing and analysis.
Geography Stage 6 Syllabus (2009)
Outcomes
explains the changing nature, spatial patterns and interaction of ecosystems, urban places and economic activity H1
explains the factors which place ecosystems at risk and the reasons for their protection H2
evaluates environmental management strategies in terms of ecological sustainability H5
evaluates the impacts of, and responses of people to, environmental change H6
justifies geographical methods applicable and useful in the workplace and relevant to a changing world H7
plans geographical inquiries to analyse and synthesise information from a variety of sources H8
evaluates geographical information and sources for usefulness, validity and reliability H9
applies maps, graphs and statistics, photographs and fieldwork to analyse and integrate data in geographical contexts H10
applies mathematical ideas and techniques to analyse geographical data H11
explains geographical patterns, processes and future trends through appropriate case studies and illustrative examples H12
communicates complex geographical information, ideas and issues effectively, using appropriate written H13
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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