This excursion is based at Cumberland State Forest.

This program is also available at Strickland State Forest on the Central Coast of NSW, but only includes Activity 1 (2 hours) and Activity 2.

Outcomes

This excursion program has links to both the NSW HSIE Syllabus and the draft Australian Geography Curriculum to be phased into NSW schools in 2012.

NSW Curriculum Links

This excursion program helps students to achieve the following outcomes in the NSW K-6 HSIE Syllabus:

• ENS3.5 Patterns of place and location - demonstrates an understanding of the interconnectedness between Australia and global environments and how individuals and groups can act in an ecologically responsible manner
• ENS3.6 Relationships with places - Explains how various beliefs and practices influence the ways in which people interact with, change and value their environment.

Subject matter

The teaching/learning activities will help students learn about the following subject matter outlined in the K-6 HSIE Syllabus:

• Geographical terminology
• Communities, regions and environments in Australia and in the world
• Patterns of human involvement and use of environments
• Ecologically sustainable development of environments
• Different perspectives about the maintenance and improvement of environments

Relevant units of work

The excursion program offered at Cumberland State Forest is multi-disciplinary. There are several Stage 3 units of work that could be enhanced through the education program including:

• Global Environments: Rainforests (HSIE)
• Stage 3 COG (A) unit on Living Land
• A Change for the Better (Science and Technology)
• Environment Matters (Science and Technology)

Australian Geography Curriculum Links

This excursion program links with the draft Australian Geography Curriculum to be phased into NSW schools in 2012.

Broad topics for Foundation to Year 6 in the Geographical knowledge and understanding strand (source: 'Shape of the Australian Curriculum: Geography')

For each year group, the program links with environmental and human characteristics.

Foundation – Year 2

• Environmental - Environments and living creatures
• Human - Places-characteristics

Years 3-4

• Environmental - Landforms and environmental change
• Human - Population and culture – rural and urban

Years 5-6

• Environmental - Environmental risks and management
• Human - Challenges and connections, neighbouring countries

Key concepts

Relevant key concepts include: sustainability, process, system, distance, space, proximity, interdependence, perception and risk.

Possible lesser links with other Australian curriculums including Science, Mathematics and English.

Environmental Education Policy for Schools

The Environmental Education Policy for Schools is mandatory in all NSW government schools. This education program provides opportunities for students to develop knowledge, skills, values and attitudes related to the curriculum objectives in the Policy.

Teacher/learning activities

There are three main activities in the Stage 3 education program as follows:

• 'Forest Types' - Ranger-guided walk (1.5 hours)
• 'Forest detectives – threats to the forest – Ranger-guided session (45 mins)
• 'Visitor Centre and Potting Up' - Self-directed learning based in the Visitor Centre (45 mins)

Activity 1. Forest Types

Take a guided walk through Cumberland State Forest where students will observe and identify the differences in plant communities that are found in particular areas of the forest.

Along the creek line, students will have the opportunity to examine plant species found in a moist forest area. They will explore the layers of the forest, such as the forest floor, understorey and canopy, as well as, record the features that distinguish one forest type from another. This activity involves fieldwork and use of equipment.

Activity 2. Forest detectives – Threats to the forest

Students will engage with the forest ranger to discuss a number of potential threats to forests including weeds, feral animals, urban encroachment and fire and how these are managed or mitigated.

In small groups students will then become forest detectives and follow a short walking trail while pondering a series of multiple choice questions on managing threats to forests.

Activity 3. Visitor Centre and Potting Up

Students spend 1/2 hour in the Visitor Centre exploring the interpretive material and interactive activities to answer a series of curriculum aligned worksheet questions. On fine days students may also explore the self-guided Sensory Trail.

Class teachers can then guide students through a short hands on activity where the students pot up their own native seedling to take home or back to school. Supplies and instructions for this activity are supplied to teachers on the day.

Cost

Bookings can be made for between 30-90 students per day. Excursions are for a full day (generally 10am - 2pm) with breaks for recess and lunch. Cost is $4.40 per student and there is no charge for accompanying teachers and parents.