Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

Experience Engage Enable

Telephone02 9816 1298

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

People, patterns and processes - Study 3: Place and cultural change excursion program

Teacher checklist

Location

Start and finish at: Marrickville Station

Google maps - Apple maps

Gadigal and Wangal Country

Transport

Public transport

This excursion is accessible by public transport.

Train and bus routes to and from Marrickville Station.

Bus access

Supply bus driver with map to Marrickville Station bus interchange, Illawarra Road.

STA stop ID: 2204101

Google maps - Apple maps

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). 

Worksheet

Worksheets are available for viewing upon booking.

Risk assessment 

Risk management plan

Students will be conducting some fieldwork independently along Marrickville Road. View the welfare map to see specific locations of independent student tasks.

Welfare

Participants will be walking all day.

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

Public toilets are available at the beginning and end of the day, and during eating breaks. View the welfare map for the locations of public toilets.

Bring

Writing materials, clipboard, mobile device for audiovisual recording, medications, low-waste food, two water bottles, sunblock, hat and raincoat in a backpack. Sports uniform recommended.

Students will require a mobile device to record data. Please let Field of Mars EEC know in advance if adjustments are required.

Students are also encouraged to bring money to buy takeaway food from local cafes and restaurants on Illawarra Road. View the welfare map to see the locations of cafes and retaurants students will be able to access for lunch.

Supporting resources

Google site

Pre-excursion and post-excursion activities can be found on the Place and cultural change: Marrickville Google site.

This resource is still in development and is subject to modification.

Pre-excursion activities - digital student workbook

Access the pre-excursion student workbook (Google docs) for the pre-fieldwork activities listed on the Google site.

Post-excursion questions - digital student workbook

Access the post-excursion student workbook (Google docs) consisting of fieldwork discussion and analysis questions.

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 - 9.45

Arrival and introduction

9.45 - 10.15 Activity 1 - Place and culture
10.15 - 10.45 Activity 2 - Place and cultural change over time
10.45 - 11.15 Morning tea and toilets

11.15 - 1.00

Activity 3 - Comprehensive survey of cultural landscape

Activity 4 - Influences on culture 

1.00 - 1.30

Lunch at local restaurant or cafe

1.30 - 2.00

Activity 5 - Perceptions of cultural continuity and change
2.00 - 2.15 Conclusion and depart


Learning activities

Students will work in small groups to undertake geographic inquiry in the field.

Geographic questions that focus on the characteristics and influences of place and cultural change in an inner city location will be asked and data will be collected using different fieldwork and sampling techniques. This data will be analysed to identify the influences of past and current cultural change, and perceptions of and responses to these changes. 

Fieldwork inquiry questions 

  • What are the cultural characteristics of Marrickville?
  • How has the movement of people (migration) influenced the culture of Marrickville? 
  • How is human wellbeing integrated in the culture of Marrickville?
  • What are the perceptions of cultural continuity and change in Marrickville?
  • What fieldwork methods can be used to investigate the culture of a place?

Fieldwork

Introduction 

Students will be introduced to the fieldwork inquiry questions for the day. Students will be guided through the planning process for fieldwork investigations including ethical considerations, equipment and methodologies and preparing for outdoor activities. Maps, diagrams and other secondary resources will be used to support student understanding.

Activity 1 - Spatial and cultural characteristics

Students will first engage in a range of discovery fieldwork activities to Marrickville as a place and its culture. 

Activity 2 - Re-photography

Students will re-photograph sites of interest to examine how Marrickville and its culture has changed over time.

Students will analyse a timeline of place and cultural change in Marrickville to identify the demographic processes of immigration and gentrification as key influences on culture and cultural change

Activity 3 - Random point sampling

Using observations, photography and fieldwork instruments, students will conduct random point sampling to examine the cultural characteristics of Marrickville including streetscape, architecture, colours, noise, and streetlife.

Students will use this data to describe the influence of immigration and gentrification on the cultural identity of Marrickville, and draw conclusions relating to cultural continuity and change. Students will also use their data to identify strategies and opportunities for enhancing human wellbeing in line with the cultural characteristics of place.

Activity 4 - Field photography

Students will go on a photo hunt demonstrating the impact of immigration and gentrification on the cultural landscape of Marrickville.

Lunch

Students are encouraged to immerse themselves in the culture of Marrickville by undertaking a 'food tour', eating from local restaurants and cafes.

Activity 5 - Perceptions of and responses to culture and cultural change

Students will use questionnaires to interview people on their perceptions of and responses to cultural continuity and change in the area.

Please note, students will require a mobile device to record data. Please advise Field of Mars EEC in advance if adjustments are required.



Syllabus outcomes and content

Geography 11-12 Syllabus (2022) 

Outcomes

  • examines places, environments and natural and human phenomena, for their characteristics, spatial patterns, interactions and changes over time GE-11-01
  • explains geographical processes and influences, at a range of scales, that form and transform places and environments GE-11-02
  • explains geographical opportunities and challenges, and varying perspectives and responses GE-11-03
  • 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

Content

Study 3: Place and cultural change

Students investigate:

  • Culture of place

  • Influences on the culture of place

    Including:

    • the processes of diffusion, adoption and adaptation of culture
    • the mediums facilitating cultural change
  • Evidence of cultural change in various places around the world

  • Impacts of, and responses to, change

  • ONE place at a local scale

    Including:

    • the spatial and cultural characteristics of the place
    • influences on the cultural identity of the place
    • perceptions of, and responses to, cultural continuity and/or change
    • opportunities to enhance environmental sustainability and/or human wellbeing
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