Observatory Hill Environmental Education Centre

Leading environmental education to empower learners for a sustainable future.

Telephone02 9247 7321

Emailobservhill-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au

S6 - Earth's Natural Systems ( Case Study - Balls Head Reserve)

Earth's Natural Systems supports S6 Geography and focuses on a case study highlighting the natural processes, cycles and circulations that have shaped the land and/or water at ONE place (Balls Head Reserve) using geographical skills and tools, including undertaking fieldwork.  

Program location

Balls Head Reserve - Waverton, NSW. 

View the Fieldwork Google Map

Key inquiry question

How do natural processes, cycles and circulations shape Balls Head and Berry Bay?

Key syllabus outcomes

A Student:

  • GE-11-01 - examines places, environments and natural and human phenomena, for their characteristics, spatial patterns, interactions and changes over time
  • GE-11-02 - explains geographical processes and influences, at a range of scales, that form and transform places and environments
  • GE-11-05 - analyses and synthesises relevant geographical information from a variety of sources
  • GE-11-07 - applies geographical inquiry skills and tools, including spatial technologies, fieldwork, and ethical practices, to investigate places and environments

Integrating the ‘Sustainability’ Cross Curriculum Priority is a feature of the program.

Student Previsit and Follow-up Activities

Successful fieldwork visits have direct links to current classroom learning. Pre-visit activities carried out prior to the excursion will help students better understand their excursion content and provide connectedness and relevance to classroom learning.

Have students visit the Student Support Webite, provided on booking, and complete any pre fieldwork activities to familiarise them with the study area.

On the day activities

During the full-day fieldwork excursion, students will:

  • Investigate Balls Head Reserve highlighting the natural processes, cycles and circulations that have shaped the land and/or water cover.
  • Acquire, geographic information/data to answer a fieldwork question
  • Practice basic geographic tools such as mapping, photo interpretation, field sketching, conducting transects, observing and recording

Cost 

  • Government Schools: $15 per student  (GST Free)
  • Non-Government Schools: $25 per student (GST free)