Beneath our feet

Science and technology

Sandstone cliff showing distinct layered rock formations overlooking the ocean.

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.

Excursion site

Suggested timetable
10:00 Introduction and Acknowledgement of Country
10:20

Students observe examples of erosion and weathering.

Students observe methods to minimise and manage erosion.

11:30 Recess
12:00

Students listen to a Dreaming Story about formation of landscape.

Students use scientific equipment to measure and record weather conditions, such as temperature and wind speed.

1:00 Lunch
1:30 Classify rocks and minerals.
2:00 Conclusion and depart

* There may be variations to timetable based on specific location, group size and weather

Tier 2 and 3 vocabulary

Tier 2:

observe, investigate, compare, identify, classify, record, measure, pattern, explain, represent

Tier 3:

erosion, weathering, sandstone, landform, rock cycle, mineral, ochre, forces, landscape, temperature

Syllabus outcomes and content

Science and technology K-6 Syllabus (2017)

Outcomes
  • 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
Content
How the Earth’s surface changes over time
  • 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
  • investigate how changes in the environment are used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to develop seasonal calendars SciT SysT

Science and technology K-6 Syllabus (2024)

Outcomes
  • Uses information to investigate the solar system and the effects of energy on living, physical and geological systems ST2-SCI-01
  • poses questions to create fair tests that investigate the effects of energy on living things and physical systems ST2-PQU-01
Content
Forces shape Earth’s surface
  • Investigate Aboriginal Dreaming Stories and Torres Strait Islander Legends about the formation of landscapes and landforms
  • Explain how the forces produced by wind, water and living things weather rocks
  • Describe and model how forces produced by moving water cause erosion
"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!!!"

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