Human-environment interactions - Study 3: Climate change - Urban heat excursion program

Teacher checklist

Location	Meadowbank Wallumedegal Country
Meeting point	Meadowbank train station
Public transport	Arrive: Meadowbank train station Depart: Meadowbank train station
Cost	2025 DoE $26 per student - GST free 2025 Non-gov school cost $36 per student - GST free, minimum charge $750 Schools are to confirm the number of students and classes at least 7 days prior to attending. Schools will be charged based on the number of students confirmed or number of students who attend on the day (whichever is greater).
Risk assessment	Meadowbank risk management plan
Welfare	Participants will be walking in urban areas. Limited wheelchair accessibility. This excursion may not be suitable for people who have recently been unwell. Toilets are available in limited locations throughout the walk.
Bring	Writing materials, mobile device for audiovisual recording, medications, two water bottles, sunblock, hat and raincoat in a backpack. Sports uniform recommended. Although there are shops available it is suggested students bring a low waste, nutritious lunch.
View	Preparing for an excursion
Worksheet	The worksheet is available for view at the time of booking.
Supporting resources	Fieldwork techniques Fact sheets Human-environment interactions Study 3: Climate change - urban heat -Cool Places Cool Spaces citizen science program - Google site
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 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

Time	Activities
9.30 - 10.00	Arrival at Meadowbank train station
10.00 - 10.30	Investigating urban heat
10.30 - 10.50	Recess
10.50 - 12.50	Measuring urban heat
12.50 - 1.10	Urban heat survey
1.10 - 1.30	Lunch
1.30 - 2.00	Conclusions and deaprt

Learning activities

A citizen science project

Students will engage in the Cool Places Cool Spaces citizen science project being developed by City of Ryde Council in partnership with Field of Mars EEC and The School of Built Environment, University of New South Wales.

This is an exciting opportunity for students to play a key role in how the City of Ryde is planning for resilient town centres and communities. To be involved in how local government and communities can mitigate and adapt to local climate change impacts.

Fieldwork preparation

Optional pre-fieldwork activities can be accessed in the Google site link below.

Human-environment interactions Study 3: Climate change - urban heat -Cool Places Cool Spaces citizen science program - Google site

Fieldwork

On arrival students will engage in experiential activities to elicit an emotional response to the study site. Initial observations and predictions about urban heat will provide an inquiry for the day's fieldwork.

Students will be introduced to the fieldwork instruments used to monitor urban heat and the factors that contribute to the urban heat island effect. Instruments include thermometers, infrared thermometers, thermal heat cameras, anemometers, hygrometers, light metres and moisture metres. Ways of recording qualitative and quantitative data from observations will also be demonstrated.

Task 1 - Student driven inquiry

Students will use instruments and observations to measure the abiotic and biotic conditions of recognised 'hot spots' and 'cool spots'. Results will provide conclusions on the factors that contribute to and mitigate for urban heat.

Task 2 - Building the data base for urban heat

Students will measure abiotic and biotic factors in a number of locations to add to the urban heat spatial database. The locations will provide a ‘before and after’ comparison of urban renewal. Results will indicate the level of success achieved by council in meeting urban heat mitigation strategic targets.

We have minimal availability for term 3 and 4 2024 bookings.

Please contact us for availability.

Syllabus outcomes and content

Geography 11–12 Syllabus (2022)

Outcomes

A student:

examines places, environments and natural and human phenomena, for their characteristics, spatial patterns, interactions and changes over time GE-11-01

explains geographical opportunities and challenges, and varying perspectives and responses GE-11-03

assesses responses and management strategies, at a range of scales, for sustainability GE-11-04

analyses and synthesises relevant geographical information from a variety of sources GE-11-05

identifies geographical methods used in geographical inquiry and their relevance in the contemporary world GE-11-06

applies geographical inquiry skills and tools, including spatial technologies, fieldwork, and ethical practices, to investigate places and environments GE-11-07

applies mathematical ideas and techniques to analyse geographical data GE-11-08

communicates and applies geographical understanding, using geographical knowledge, concepts, terms and tools, in appropriate forms GE-11-09

Geography 11–12 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2022

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Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

address Field of Mars Reserve
Pittwater Road
East Ryde NSW 2112

telephone 02 9816 1298

email fieldofmar-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au

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Human-environment interactions - Study 3: Climate change - Urban heat excursion program

Teacher checklist

Suggested timetable

Time

Activities