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Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

Experience Engage Enable

Telephone02 9816 1298

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

Selecting and using equipment

When doing fieldwork you will need a range of tools for different purposes.
The following tools will be used during your fieldwork at Sugarloaf Hill:

The following videos show you how to use some of the equipment you will be using for fieldwork.

Fieldwork instruments part 1: Air temp, humidity, wind speed, light intensity | YouTube | Field of Mars EEC (2:44min) | Video transcript

  • Measuring air temperature using the thermometer function of the Kestrel 3000 weather meter

  • Measuring relative humidity using the hygrometer function of the Kestrel 3000 weather meter

  • Measuring wind speed using the anemometer function of the Kestrel 3000 weather meter

  • Measuring light intensity using a light meter

  • Notes about reliability, potential error and biases

Fieldwork instruments part 2: Soil texture, soil pH and soil temperature | YouTube | Field of Mars EEC (2:49min) | Video transcript

  • Definition of soil

  • Determining soil texture using a manual classification method

  • Measuring soil pH using the saturated paste method

  • Measuring soil temperature using a soil temperature probe

  • Handling and disposal of chemical waste

  • Notes about reliability, potential error and biases

Fieldwork instruments part 3: Slope, aspect, position | YouTube | Field of Mars EEC (2:37min) | Video transcript

  • Determining slope (gradient) using an inclinometer

  • Determining position using a GPS or a smartphone app

  • Determining aspect using a compass

  • Strategies for ensuring reliable results

  • Notes about potential error and biases