Learning activities
Introduction – Field of Mars classroom
This session will introduce students to the Field of Mars Reserve, the geomorphology of the local environment, the classification and composition of local rocks and soils, past and contemporary human activities and their associated impacts, relevant environmental management issues, relevant secondary resources, and the purpose of the fieldwork and the day’s activities.
Prepare for fieldwork – Field of Mars classroom
The students form small groups, identify variables and choose equipment to collect fieldwork data from study sites in several locations in the Field of Mars Reserve.
Conduct fieldwork – Field of Mars Reserve
Site 1 – Coastal Sandstone Gully Forest and Site 2 – Turpentine Ironbark Margin Forest
Students test and record biotic and abiotic factors of each site including lithology, dominant species, vegetation structure, and soil texture classification.
Sites 3 – Ridgetop Woodland
Students examine the Hawkesbury sandstone landscape and relate vegetation communities found there to the geology and lithology of the area.
Students also identify human impacts.
Optional: Students may also test and record biotic and abiotic factors as per Sites 1 and 2. Please discuss with Field of Mars staff before your excursion to organise.
Site 4 – Disturbed sediments adjacent to Buffalo Creek
Students construct a flowchart of human impacts and subsequent managment strategies.
Optional: Students may also conduct water quality testing, and/or examine the presence of introduced species in the area which take advantage of human impacts. Please discuss with Field of Mars staff before your excursion to organise.
Conclusion – Field of Mars classroom
Students process and analyse qualitative and quantitative fieldwork data to identify trends and patterns, and draw conclusions in answer to the inquiry questions.
Next steps toward possible depth studies may be discussed.
