Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

Experience Engage Enable

Telephone02 9816 1298

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

Classification and adaptations excursion program

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Teacher checklist

Location

Field of Mars Reserve, 220 Pittwater Road, East Ryde

Wallumedegal Country

Google maps - Apple maps
Supply bus driver with Field of Mars Reserve bus information
Field of Mars Reserve risk management plan

View the YouTube track overview videos.

Buffalo Creek track

Doyle and Warada loop track

Strangers Creek loop track
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). 
Welfare

Participants will be bushwalking all day in rugged terrain.

Limited wheelchair accessibility.

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

Toilets are only available at the beginning and end of the day and during breaks (see timetable below).
Bring

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

There are no shops near the study site.
Worksheets

Worksheets are available for viewing upon booking.

Schools are responsible for printing student worksheets.
Preparation and supporting resources

Supporting teaching and learning resources

Additional/extension resources
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

Time

Class A, B, C, D

Class E, F, G, H
9.30 - 10.00 Introduction and fieldwork preparation
10.00 - 11.30 Plant investigations Animal investigations
11.30 - 12.00 Break
12.00 - 1.30 Animal investigations Plant investigations
1.30 - 2.00 Break
2.00 - 2.15 Conclusion and depart

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Classification and adaptations excursion

Science

Program

What is that? How do you know? What features does it have? How does it survive here? These questions are explored as students conduct a series of fieldwork investigations into the classification and adaptations of native animals and plants in the Field of Mars Reserve. This program emphasises the application of Working Scientifically skills, and can be used to support an assessment task or Depth Study.

Fieldwork 

Invertebrate classification

Students will use scientific equipment and work in teams to collect, identify and observe invertebrates and their features. Students will construct a dichotomous key based on their observations. 

Vertebrate adaptations 

Through field journaling, students will observe the structural and behavioural adaptations of a native lizard. 

Plant adaptations

Students will use dichotomous keys and fieldwork instruments to identify, observe and measure native plants and their structural features. Data will be used to explain how plants are adapted to the environment.

Aboriginal classification systems

Through sensory and hands-on activities, students will investigate the traditional uses of native plants to understand how Darug Peoples are classified their use.

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Syllabus outcomes and content

Science 7-10 Syllabus (2023)

Outcomes

A student:

  • describes the unique features of cells in living things and how structural features can be used to classify organisms SC4-CLS-01
  • uses scientific tools and instruments for observations SC4-WS-01 
  • follows a planned procedure to undertake safe and valid investigations SC4-WS-04 
  • communicates scientific concepts and ideas using a range of communication forms SC4-WS-08

Content

Classification of living things

  • Classify species using scientific conventions from the binomial system of classification, including kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species
  • Conduct an investigation to observe and identify the similarities and differences of structural features within and between groups of organisms
  • Investigate how organisms in an Australian habitat are adapted to their environment and document findings in a written scientific report
  • Interpret dichotomous keys to identify organisms surveyed in an Australian habitat
  • Explain how plants and animals are classified in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures based on their uses, forms and functions

Science and Technology 7-10 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2023

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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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