Environmental change and management
Geography
Stage 5 Geography students investigate Environmental Change and Management through a full-day fieldwork study at Chipping Norton Lakes, in South Western Sydney on Dharug and Dharawal Country.
Using this local riverine environment as a case study, students explore how the Georges River system functions and how natural and human processes have changed the landscape over time. Students investigate both causes and consequences of extensive sand mining that was conducted in the past in this section of the river.
Throughout the day, students collect and interpret primary data on water quality, litter, microplastics and biodiversity. They will use fieldwork instruments such as clinometers, anemometers and water testing equipment to assess impacts on water quality and habitat surveys, bird counts and invertebrate sampling to draw conclusions on ecosystem health. Students will evaluate how effectively Chipping Norton Lakes is being managed, consider different worldviews (human-centric and earth-centric), and propose strategies for more sustainable environmental management, while recognising the ongoing custodianship and deep environmental knowledge of the Dharug and Dharawal peoples.
Location
Essential information
| Year | Cost |
| 2025/26 |
|
Cancellation or major changes to bookings will incur the following cancellation fees:
- within 30 days of excursion or incursion date - $600 administration fee charged
- within 7 days of excursion/incursion date - total fee charged based on confirmed student numbers
| Time | Class 1 | Class 2 |
| 9.30am | Arrival - introduction, and toilets | |
| 10.00am - 10.30am | Investigating sands, sediments and mining in the lab | |
| 10.30am - 11.00am | Recess and toilets | |
| 11.00am - 12.00pm | Terrestrial assessment in Homestead Park | Aquatic assessments at Grand Flaneur Beach |
| 12.00pm - 1.00pm | Aquatic assessments at Grand Flaneur Beach | Terrestrial assessment in Homestead Park |
| 1.00pm - 1.30pm | Lunch and toilets | |
| 1.30pm - 2.00pm | Conclusions and depart |
Human Society and its Environment K–6 Syllabus (2024)
Environmental change and management
Outcomes
- GE5-DFC-01explains how the diverse features and characteristics of a range of places and environments change over time
- GE5-PRI-01analyses the processes and interactions that transform people, places and environments
- GE5-PER-01accounts for the perspectives of people and organisations on a range of geographical opportunities and challenges
- GE5-MAN-01assesses different approaches to the management and protection of places and environments
- GE5-TAP-01 applies and evaluates a range of geographical tools to acquire and process geographical information
- GE5-COM-01selects and applies concepts and terminology to communicate geographical information for a range of purposes, audiences and contexts
Content
Thinking and working geographically
- Select and apply relevant geographical concepts
- Engage in geographical inquiry using geographical information
- Select a range of relevant geographical tools
Environmental change
- Biophysical processes that change Earth’s environments
- Human-induced environmental changes over time across a range of scales
- Consequences of environmental change
Environmental management
- Comparison of perspectives, influences and practices, including Aboriginal Peoples’ Custodianship of Country, that support environmental management
- Management strategies to reduce the impacts of environmental change, including prevention, mitigation and preparedness strategies
- Methods used to assess sustainability when managing environmental change
Environmental case study
Investigation of ONE type of environment for a comparative study between Australia and at least ONE other country.
- Biophysical processes and interactions of the selected environment
- Causes, extent and consequences of the environmental change affecting the selected environment
- Environmental management strategies to enhance sustainability in the selected environment
Geography 7-10 Syllabus (2024) © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2024
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