Geography - Factors that Shape Places
Supports the Geography teaching framework - contemporary land use issue
Wattamolla is a perfect case study for factors that shape places due to its increasing popularity. Students use the geographical inquiry process and tools to investigate Wattamolla and formulate a plan for its future management.
Book during whale season (peak June-July) for an opportunity to whale watch.
Key syllabus outcomes
- Students describe the diverse features and characteristics of places and environments (GE3-1)
- Students explain interactions and connections between people, places and environments (GE3-2)
- Students compare and contrast influences on the management of places and environments (GE3-3)
- Students acquire, process and communicate geographical information using geographical tools for inquiry (GE3-4)
Key inquiry questions
- How do people and environments influence one another?
- How do people influence places and the management of spaces within them?
Inquiry question
- What is the impact of increased visitation at Wattamolla?
Content
Geography – Factors that Shape Places
Students:
- investigate the ways people change the natural environment in Australia and another country, for example: (ACHGK026, ACHGK027)
- examination of how people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, have influenced each country’s environmental characteristics eg land clearing
- investigate how the natural environment influences people and places, for example: (ACHGK028)
- discussion of how climate influences the distribution of where people live
- comparison of how landforms influence where and how people live in Australia and another country
- investigate how people influence places, for example: (ACHGK029)
- description of who organises and manages places eg local and state governments
- examination of a local planning issue; the different views about it and a possible action in response to it
Learning Experiences
Students:
- complete a loop bushwalk south on the Coast Track and out to the lookout at Providential Point
- identify natural features and draw a labelled field sketch
- use fieldwork tools to measure weather conditions and compare them to long-term climate data
- observe and identify clouds using a cloud chart
- safely collect and sort litter and consider the amount of time different types of litter last in the environment
- observe preserved animals to link littering to an impact on animals and the environment
- use GPS devices (Garmin etrex 20x) in small groups to complete a geocache (geography scavenger hunt) around the Wattamolla picnic area.
Recommended excursion sites
- Wattamolla - loop track around Providential Headland
- Reids Flat, Audley (if you are travelling from a distance this reduces bus time)