Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

Experience Engage Enable

Telephone02 9816 1298

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

Place and liveability excursion program

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Teacher checklist

Location

Shepherd's Bay Urban Precinct and Meadowbank 

Wallumedegal Country

Please contact the centre for detailed information on locations, bus access and public transport options.

North-south walk (up to 8 classes)

Start and finish at Mill Park, Rhodes

Google maps - Apple maps

East-west walk (up to 4 classes)

Start and finish at Meadowbank Wharf, Meadowbank

Google maps - Apple maps

Provide bus drivers with bus information for

Mill Park

Meadowbank Wharf
Meadowbank risk management plan
Welfare

Participants will be walking all day in an outdoor urban environment.

This site is wheelchair accessible. Please let the centre know of any accessibility needs in advance.

This excursion may not be suitable for people who have recently been unwell.

Toilets are limited at this site and only available at the beginning and end of the day, and during breaks.
Worksheet

Worksheets are available for viewing upon booking.

Schools are responsible for printing student worksheets.
Bring

Backpack, clipboard, pencil, personal medication, low-waste food, water bottle, sunblock, wet weather gear, hat, sports uniform, comfortable shoes.

There are no shops at the study site.
Preparation and supporting resources View Preparing for an excursion video
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 whether

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 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

 
Timetable suitable for up to 8 classes. Exact times may vary.

Time

Classes
9.30 - 10.00

Arrive

Introduction at Helene Park or Mill Park

Recess, toilets and equipment distributed
10.00 - 11:30 Walk and fieldwork activities
11.30 - 12.00

Break 1 at a scenic spot on the Parramatta River
12.00 - 1:30

Walk and fieldwork activities
1:30 - 1:50 Break 2
1:50 - 2:15

Conclusion and depart

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Place and liveability excursion

Geography

Program

Students explore the Shepherd's Bay urban precinct and picturesque Parramatta River foreshore to engage in a pertinent and local study of a diverse and dynamic urban place. Students will learn a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods used to survey demography, liveability and environmental quality, allowing them to draw conclusions on the liveability of this place.

Inquiry questions

  • How does access to services and facilities, environmental quality, and social connectedness affect the liveability of the Shepherds Bay urban precinct?
  • How can we measure, assess, and rank liveability?
  • How might perceptions of liveability differ between people?

Fieldwork

Mapping and field sketch

The excursion commences with an examination of the natural and built features of place through mapping and field sketching.

Liveability and community survey

Students will use observation, bipolar analyses and a range of digital instruments to assess liveability in relation to social, cultural, economic and environmental factors.

Living river assessment

The program concludes with a case study of swimming in the Parramatta River, engaging in sensory fieldwork and water quality testing to investigate connections between urbanisation, environmental quality and liveability.

Discussion and reflection

Students will use their acquired data to consider how liveability has been planned for and can be improved, whilst recognising varied perceptions of liveability.

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Syllabus outcomes and content

NSW Geography K-10 Syllabus (2015) 

Outcomes 

  • locates and describes the diverse features and characteristics of a range of places and environments GE4-1
  • explains how interactions and connections between people, places and environments result in change GE4-3
  • examines perspectives of people and organisations on a range of geographical issues GE4-4
  • explains differences in human wellbeing GE4-6
  • acquires and processes geographical information by selecting and using geographical tools for inquiry GE4-7
  • communicates geographical information using a variety of strategies GE4-8

Content 

Influences and perceptions

Students:

  • investigate factors influencing perceptions of the liveability of places  

Access to services and facilities

Students:

  • investigate the influence of accessibility to services and facilities on the liveability of places

Environmental quality

Students:

  • investigate the impact of environmental quality on the liveability of places

Community

Students:

  • investigate the influence of social connectedness and community identity on the liveability of places   

Enhancing liveability

Students:

  • investigate strategies used to enhance the liveability of places using examples from different countries    

Geography K-10 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2015

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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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