Human-environment interactions - Urban heat excursion program

Teacher checklist

Location	Meadowbank Wallumedegal Country
	Meeting location Meadowbank train station Meet Field of Mars staff on the eastern side of the station in the small public plaza on Constitution Road
	Public transport access Meadowbank train station is accessible by public transport (bus and train). Arrive: Meadowbank train station Depart: Meadowbank train station
	Meadowbank risk management plan
Cost	DoE $26 per student - GST free Non-gov school cost $36 per student - GST free, minimum charge $750 Non-gov schools - consider combining your small group visit with other non-gov schools 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).
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	General Clipboard, pencil, mobile device, water bottle, low-waste food, medications, sunblock, hat and raincoat in a backpack. Sports uniform recommended. Mobile device usage This program requires students to use a mobile device with Google Maps downloaded and location services on. Please inform the centre as soon as possible if student phone usage is not permitted. Lunch With teacher permission, students may be able to purchase lunch from Shepherds Bay Urban Village plaza.
Worksheets	Worksheets will be available for viewing upon booking. School are responsible for printing student worksheets.
Supporting resources	Human-environment interactions I Study 3: Climate change - Urban heat - Google site containining site information, suggested pre- and post- fieldwork activities, and additional teaching and learning resources Fieldwork techniques - webpage describing commonly used fieldwork techniques in Field of Mars excursions Preparing for an excursion - YouTube 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 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 heating and cooling
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	Cool places, cool spaces
2.00 - 2.15	Conclusions and depart

Human-environment interactions - Study 3: Climate change excursion

Geography

Program

Students will have the opportunity to participate in the City of Ryde's Cool Places Cool Spaces citizen science project. The project provides students an active role in collecting quantitative and qualitative primary data on the extent and impact of urban heat in Meadowbank. Data will be used to support the design and implementation of heat mitigation measures as part of the Ryde Resilience Plan 2030.

Inquiry questions

How does the built environment impact the natural processes of heating and cooling on Earth?
What strategies can be implemented to address urban heat in outdoor spaces?
How do geographers measure the impact of urban heat on people?

Fieldwork

Understanding urban heat

This program commences with a series of scientific investigations which allow students to understand how the built environment interacts with natural heating and cooling processes, providing students with an evidence-based understanding of urban overheating.

Heat mitigation strategies

Students will use field photography to survey for heat mitigation strategies employed by local and state council.

Measuring urban heat

Students will measure abiotic and biotic factors in a number of sites of interest to create a spatial database of urban heat and thermal comfort in Meadowbank. Metadata can be used to identify factors that increase or reduce urban heat, including mitigation strategies.

Urban heat survey

Environmental data will be supported by interviews which assess the impacts of and responses to urban heat on local residents.

Collective results can be used to indicate the success of the local council in meeting urban heat mitigation strategic targets.

Student-directed inquiry

Students will apply their learning from the day to co-construct their own investigation evaluating green spaces as a cool place, cool space.

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

Return to program summary

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

Get directions

Human-environment interactions - Urban heat excursion program

Teacher checklist

Suggested timetable

Time

Activities

Human-environment interactions - Study 3: Climate change excursion

Geography

Program

Syllabus outcomes and content

Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

General enquiries

Follow us