Investigating the wetland

Geography

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Program

Students will investigate water in the world through a wetland ecosystem including water quality, weather and climate, Aboriginal seasonal calendars, catchment management and mapping skills using GPS.

Students examine water as a resource and the factors influencing water quality, flows and availability of water resources. Students investigate variations in people’s perceptions about the value of wetlands and the need for sustainable water management. Students also investigate processes that continue to shape the environment including a hydrologic hazard.

Activities:

The basic program will be changed to suit the group size and weather conditions.

For further information on curriculum links, the program and excursion information see below or contact us.

Location
Awabakal Environmental Education Centre- Wetlands Campus, 412 Sandgate Road, Shortland.
Details
What to bring

Printed worksheets in colour, clipboard and pencil.

Students should bring lunch, recess, refillable water bottle, hats, sunscreen, covered walking shoes plus any special requirements of the group (Wet weather gear when necessary). Non-aerosol insect repellent is advisable in summer.
Bus information

Drop off and collection Awabakal Environmental Education Centre, Wetlands Campus located at Hunter Wetlands Centre, 412 Sandgate Rd, Shortland, Newcastle.

Please use School entry.
Supervision

AEEC is a NSW Department of Education school and staff are trained DoE teachers specialising in Environmental Education.

AEEC teachers rely on the participation of visiting teachers to meet recommended supervision levels. Visiting teachers are ultimately responsible for behaviour of students, students with existing medical conditions or special needs.
Medical or special needs Please notify Awabakal Environmental Education Centre of any medical conditions or special needs that may need to be taken into consideration when planning or delivering the program. Upon booking an excursion, a form will be emailed to complete to detail any medical or special needs.
Parent/ carer helpers As our staff are Department of Education teachers we don’t require parent helpers on the day.  If your school decides to bring parents, we kindly ask that you keep the number to a minimum.  For safety reasons and the nature of our sites, parents will not be able to participate in activities.
Extreme or wet weather Extreme weather conditions such as heavy rainfall, high winds and extreme bush fire danger may result in the excursion being modified, postponed or cancelled. If you have any concerns regarding the weather prior to the excursion, contact Awabakal Environmental Education Centre on 4955 8673 or email awabakal-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au.
Cancellations Cancellations with less than three school weeks notice may incur an administration fee. This does not apply to cancellations due to weather or fire danger.
Sample timetable

Introduction - 10:00 am

Morning tea - 10:20 am

Two learning activities - 10:30am

Lunch - 12:00pm

Two learning activties - 12:30pm

Finish- 2:00pm

This timetable is only a guide and may be adjusted.

Syllabus outcomes and content

Geography outcomes

A student:

  • locates and describes the diverse features and characteristics of a range of places and environments GE4-1
  • describes processes and influences that form and transform places and environments GE4-2
  • explains how interactions and connections between people, places and environments result in change GE4-3
  • discusses management of places and environments for their sustainability GE4-5
  • acquires and processes geographical information by selecting and using geographical tools for inquiry GE4-7

Key inquiry questions

Water in our World

  • How do natural and human processes influence the distribution and availability of water as a resource?
  • What effect does the uneven distribution of water resources have on people, places and environments?
  • What approaches can be used to sustainably manage water resources and reduce water scarcity?

Content

Water in our world

The water cycle

Students:

  • investigate how the operation of the water cycle connects people and places, for example: (ACHGK038)

    - explanation of water flows within a catchment area

    - examination of factors influencing water flows and the availability of water resources in different places eg altitude, topography, location, climate change

The value of water

Students:

  • investigate the economic, cultural, spiritual and aesthetic values of water for people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and/or peoples of the Asia region, for example: (ACHGK041)

    - discussion of variations in people’s perceptions about the value of water eg economic versus aesthetic

Water scarcity and water management

Students:

  • investigate the nature of water scarcity and ways of overcoming it, for example: (ACHGK040)

    - assessment of strategies used to overcome water scarcity and the role of governments, non-government organisations, individuals and communities in sustainable water management.
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