Program summary
Years: 10; 11–12
Time: Full Day Program (5 hours)
Maximum number: 1 class group (up to 30 students)
Description
Managing Catchments
Unit 3: Topic 2 - Responding to Local Land Cover Transformations
Assessment: Investigation – Field Report (IA2)
Students visit three sites along the Pimpama River to investigate the issues affecting the Pimpama River catchment: land clearing, weed invasion, bush regeneration, urban and motorway development, agricultural land use and Acid Sulphate Soils. Students conduct water quality testing, riparian assessment and Acid Sulphate Soils testing (optional) to assess the health of the system. Students analyse and reflect on their findings using the geographic inquiry model. Data can be collected using Epi-Collect 5, and all field equipment will be provided.
Students will prepare a report that demonstrates their understanding of the impacts of land cover change, and propose action to manage the identified challenge to improve the sustainability of the local area.
Optional: Overnight camp. An overnight camp would allow time for investigating additional sites, and could include data collection by canoe. We can tailor a camp program to specifically meet your requirements.
Variation: The program can be tweaked to be offered to year 10 students and can be designed as a project-based or problem-based investigation.
Pre-requisites: Resources will be provided to teachers to prepare students with background knowledge and to develop field skills required for the excursion.
Requirements: Students are required to wear a hat while outdoors. It is recommended that students wear long trousers, long-sleeved shirts and runners or walking boots whilst on the excursion for personal protection. A change of shoes may be required as participants will almost certainly be getting their shoes wet.
Specific Program Requirements: A bus is required throughout the day to transport students and staff to the various locations. The visiting school can choose to use their own bus, or book the Centre bus for an additional charge. The Centre bus can take a maximum of 24 passengers.