Cause and effect in freshwater ecosystems
Investigating Science
Bring scientific inquiry to life in this Stage 6 Investigating Science fieldwork program, where students explore two contrasting aquatic environments at Simmos Beach Reserve on the Georges River. These sites provide an ideal context for examining natural and human influences on water quality, biodiversity, and freshwater ecological health.
Across the day, students apply the Working Scientifically skills central to Module 2 as they observe environmental features, identify patterns, and make inferences that lead to testable hypotheses. Students consider risks, follow ethical fieldwork practices, and design investigations that generate valid and reliable primary data.
Fieldwork activities include:
• conducting multi-sensory observations to identify natural and anthropogenic features influencing each site
• assessing risks and planning safe, ethical fieldwork practices
• measuring key water quality parameters to explore cause-and-effect relationships in freshwater ecosystems
• investigating biodiversity through standardised macroinvertebrate sampling methodologies
• using data to evaluate impacts on aquatic health and ecosystem function
• drawing evidence-based conclusions about environmental condition, pollution sources, and ecological implications.
Through this immersive investigation, students gain practical insights into freshwater ecosystems while strengthening their ability to question, predict, plan, conduct, and evaluate scientific investigations in authentic field contexts.
Maximum two classes per day.
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 | Classes 1 | Classes 2 |
| 9.30am | Arrival - introduction, recess and toilets | |
| 10.00am - 11.30am | River ecosystem investigations | Wetland ecosystem investigations |
| 11.30am - 12.00pm | Lunch and toilets | |
| 12.00pm - 1.30pm | Wetland ecosystem investigations | River ecosystem investigations |
| 1.30pm - 2.00pm | Snack, conclude and depart |
Investigating Science Stage 6 Syllabus (2017)
Outcomes
A student:
›develops and evaluates questions and hypotheses for scientific investigation INS11/12-1
›designs and evaluates investigations in order to obtain primary and secondary data and information INS11/12-2
›selects and processes appropriate qualitative and quantitative data and information using a range of appropriate media INS11/12-4
›examines the use of inferences and generalisations in scientific investigations INS11-9
Content
Observations and Inferences
Inquiry question: What inferences can be drawn from observations?
Students:
● conduct a collaborative practical investigation and collect a range of qualitative and quantitative primary data from one of the following:
– water quality of a pond or local stream
● make inferences and conclusions derived from the primary data collected in this collaborative practical investigation
Investigating Science Stage 6 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2017.
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