Save our catchment – virtual excursion

Secondary KLAs:
Human Society and its Environment, Science
Educational levels:
Year 9, Year 10

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Oblique aerial photograph taken by a drone - The Timbarra River, Tabulam.

Photography Copyright © Will Harvey-Jones / Robert Llewellyn /
Jessica Robertson

This virtual excursion offers twelve video lessons that form a sample investigation of pest species invading Australian riparian zones. Filmed on Bundjalung Country, the excursion traverses mid north coast NSW Upper Clarence River Catchment, connecting each video to companion classroom and field learning tasks. The invasive, noxious weed Cats Claw Creeper threatens this sample riparian zone and highlights complex challenges to sustainable conservation of its precious waterways. Students and teachers are encouraged to identify their own sites for investigation, promoting knowledge systems for healthier catchments in local areas across NSW.

NSW syllabus outcomes

(GE5-1) explains the diverse features and characteristics of a range of places and environments

(GE5-2) explains processes and influences that form and transform places and environments

(GE5-3) analyses the effect of interactions and connections between people, places and environments

(GE5-4) accounts for perspectives of people and organisations on a range of geographical issues

(GE5-5) assesses management strategies for places and environments for their sustainability

(GE5-7) acquires and processes geographical information by selecting and using appropriate and relevant geographical tools for inquiry

(GE5-8) communicates geographical information to a range of audiences using a variety of strategies

Australian curriculum content descriptions

(ACHGK060) Distribution and characteristics of biomes as regions with distinctive climates, soils, vegetation and productivity

(ACHGK061) Human alteration of biomes to produce food, industrial materials and fibres, and the use of systems thinking to analyse the environmental effects of these alterations

(ACHGK065) The perceptions people have of place, and how these influence their connections to different places

(ACHGK069) The effects of people’s travel, recreational, cultural or leisure choices on places, and the implications for the future of these places

(ACHGK070) Human-induced environmental changes that challenge sustainability

(ACHGK071) Environmental world views of people and their implications for environmental management

(ACHGK072) The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ approaches to custodial responsibility and environmental management in different regions of Australia

(ACHGK073) The application of systems thinking to understanding the causes and likely consequences of the environmental change being investigated 

(ACHGK074) The application of geographical concepts and methods to the management of the environmental change being investigated

(ACHGK075) The application of environmental economic and social criteria in evaluating management responses to the change

(ACHGK081) The role of international and national government and non-government organisations' initiatives in improving human wellbeing in Australia and other countries

(ACHGS063) Develop geographically significant questions and plan an inquiry that identifies and applies appropriate geographical methodologies and concepts

(ACHGS064) Evaluate sources for their reliability, bias and usefulness and select, collect, record and organise relevant geographical data and information, using ethical protocols, from a range of appropriate primary and secondary sources

(ACHGS065) Represent multi-variable data in a range of appropriate forms, for example scatter plots, tables, field sketches and annotated diagrams, with and without the use of digital and spatial technologies

(ACHGS067) Interpret and analyse multi-variable data and other geographical information using qualitative and quantitative methods, and digital and spatial technologies as appropriate, to make generalisations and inferences, propose explanations for patterns, trends, relationships and anomalies, and predict outcomes

(ACHGS070) Present findings, arguments and explanations in a range of appropriate communication forms, selected for their effectiveness and to suit audience and purpose; using relevant geographical terminology, and digital technologies as appropriate

(ACHGS072) Develop geographically significant questions and plan an inquiry that identifies and applies appropriate geographical methodologies and concepts

(ACHGS073) Evaluate sources for their reliability, bias and usefulness and select, collect, record and organise relevant geographical data and information, using ethical protocols, from a range of appropriate primary and secondary sources

(ACHGS074) Represent multi-variable data in a range of appropriate forms, for example scatter plots, tables, field sketches and annotated diagrams, with and without the use of digital and spatial technologies

(ACHGS075) Represent spatial distribution of geographical phenomena by constructing special purpose maps that conform to cartographic conventions, using spatial technologies as appropriate

(ACHGS076) Interpret and analyse multi-variable data and other geographical information using qualitative and quantitative methods, and digital and spatial technologies as appropriate, to make generalisations and inferences, propose explanations for patterns, trends, relationships and anomalies, and predict outcomes

(ACHGS077) Apply geographical concepts to synthesise information from various sources and draw conclusions based on the analysis of data and information, taking into account alternative points of view

(ACHGS079) Present findings, arguments and explanations in a range of appropriate communication forms, selected for their effectiveness and to suit audience and purpose; using relevant geographical terminology, and digital technologies as appropriate

(ACHGS080) Reflect on and evaluate findings of an inquiry to propose individual and collective action in response to a contemporary geographical challenge, taking account of environmental, economic, political and social considerations; and explain the predicted outcomes and consequences of their proposal

More information

Resource type:
Interactive Resource
Audience:
learner, teacher
ScOT topics:
Rivers, Environmental sustainability, Environmental degradation, Environmental stewardship, Conservation (Environment), Aboriginal peoples, Land custodianship, Introduced species, Fieldwork
Activities:
Analysis, Data manipulation and interpretation, Practical activity, Project, Research project
Language/s:
en-AU
Author:
State of NSW, Department of Education
Publisher:
State of NSW, Department of Education
Date created:
Thursday, 5 September 2019

Resource ID: 183c49ce-2d9b-4b17-a290-f80a4fb09105