Science and Technology - Earth and Space
Supports the Primary Connections unit - Beneath our feet
Students walk across an ancient landscape to observe evidence of weathering and erosion with a backdrop of stunning coastal views and cliffs. They participate in hands-on activities at Wattamolla and along a bushwalk on the loop track around Providential Headland and a walk to clifftops looking south over Curracurrang.
Program feedback
"The excursion was perfect for us. A great mix of written tasks, practical tasks, creative tasks and listening tasks. The level was perfect for Year 3. They thoroughly enjoyed being out in the open and observing real life environment. The coast is always such a spectacular spectacle!!!"
Key syllabus outcomes
A student:
- questions, plans and conducts scientific investigations, collects and summarises data and communicates using scientific representations ST2-1WS-S
- investigates regular changes caused by interactions between the Earth and the Sun, and changes to the Earth’s surface ST2-10ES-S
Skills focus – working scientifically
Processing and analysing data
- use a range of methods to represent data, including tables and column graphs
- compare results with predictions
Communicating
- represent and communicate observations, ideas and findings, using formal and informal representations (ACSIS060, ACSIS071)
Inquiry questions
- How do natural processes and human actions change the Earth’s surface over time?
- What occurs as a result of the interactions between the Earth and the Sun?
Content
How the Earth’s surface changes over time
Students:
- investigate why the Earth’s surface changes over time as a result of natural processes and human activity, for example: (ACSSU075) SciT
- characteristics of soils
- identify evidence of natural changes in landforms, rocks or fossils
- identify that scientific knowledge helps people understand the effect of their actions, for example: (ACSHE051, ACSHE062) SciT
- investigate how erosion is caused by human activity, eg walking on bush trails
- investigate how erosion can be minimised, eg constructing boardwalks
Earth’s relationship with the Sun
Students:
- investigate how changes in the environment are used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to develop seasonal calendars SciT SysT
Learning Experiences
Students:
- observe examples of erosion and weathering
- walk on new raised boardwalks to investigate methods to minimise erosion and compare to old eroded track
- model weathering of sandstone
- consider Dharawal seasons and observe indicator plants on the bushwalk
- use ochres to paint
- listen to a Dreaming story about formation of landscape
- use scientific equipment to measure and record conditions, such as temperature and wind speed
- classify rocks and minerals
Recommended excursion site
- Wattamolla (loop track around Providential Headland and walk to clifftops looking south over Curracurrang)
