Stage 6 Geography - Earth’s Natural Systems, Rumbalara EEC
About this excursion
Students will explore Rumbalara’s diverse landscapes and distinctive physical features. They will investigate the threats and effects of bushfires as a way to understand Earth’s natural systems including processes, cycles and circulations connecting natural systems.
The fieldwork will also allow students to understand how natural areas on the Central Coast are managed within the Coastal Open Space System (COSS). The study can also include a focus on human-environment interactions, in particular bushfire and climate change.
Learning Intentions and Success Criteria
We are learning to:
- understand the importance of natural processes, such as the carbon and nutrient cycles, in Rumbalara Reserve
- demonstrate how energy flows through ecological systems and identify the trophic levels in the flow of energy
- recognise the characteristics of the Rumbalara Reserve ecosystem and the biotic and abiotic factors that shape them
- develop visual representations, such as maps and diagrams, to communicate complex geographical concepts and tools.
We can:
- explain the role of the carbon cycle in sustaining life on Earth
- identify the different trophic levels in the flow of energy and explain why energy is lost at each level
- describe the characteristics of the Rumbalara Reserve ecosystem and the factors that shape it
- develop visual representations, such as maps and diagrams, to communicate complex scientific concepts accurately and clearly
- identify and describe the nutrients within an ecosystem and explain how decomposition and weathering contribute to the movement of nutrients
Learning Experiences
Students will compare two different vegetation communities using a variety of instruments to measure abiotic factors related to understanding natural systems including atmospheric, hydrological, geomorphic and ecological. This includes the use of anemometers, light meters, clinometers, soil testing and water testing equipment.
The vegetation present will be identified and compared to the Bells Vegetation descriptions for identifying vegetation communities and represented in a vegetation profile.
Important information
Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre
149 Donnison Street, Gosford
Geography 11–12 Syllabus (2022)
❀ 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-11-06 identifies geographical methods used in geographical inquiry and their relevance in the contemporary world
❀ GE-11-07 applies geographical inquiry skills and tools, including spatial technologies, fieldwork, and ethical practices, to investigate places and environments
❀ GE-11-08 applies mathematical ideas and techniques to analyse geographical data
❀ GE-11-09 communicates and applies geographical understanding, using geographical knowledge, concepts, terms and tools, in appropriate forms
Additional Resources
Upon booking, you will receive our full program resources along with the relevant Risk Assessments.
Program Brochure
Please download our full program brochure:
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Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre
149 Donnison Street, Gosford
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