NEW Stage 6 Syllabus 2024
The new Stage 6 Geography Syllabus begins with year 11 in 2024. Fieldwork Connections can help support you and your students with fieldwork investigations and geographical skills.
The yr 11 syllabus requires 12 hrs of mandatory fieldwork to be integrated into Earth’s natural systems; People, patterns and processes; and Human-environment interactions. Fieldwork is also embedded in The Geographical Investigation (20hrs).
See below for services offered.
Contact: Kathy@fieldworkconnections.com.au
Earth’s natural systems - Fieldwork
Students investigate the diverse landscapes of the Earth’s surface and its distinctive physical features to inspire curiosity and wonder. They examine the cycles, circulations, interconnections and spatial patterns.
Fieldwork is undertaken in northern Sydney (however the program can be adapted to your local area) in a bushland area with a river.
Fieldwork focusses on the geological, hydrological and ecological systems within this environment.
Field skills include:
rock type identification and understanding the rock cycle;
soil type and texture analysis, pH testing, at several locations;
water pH, salinity, temperature, nutrients;
observations and data collection of the ecological mangrove system.
Geographical Investigation - Seminar for Yr11 students
Students plan and conduct their own Geographical Investigation.
Fieldwork Connections specialises in supporting teachers in Stage 6 fieldwork design and implementation including the Geographical Investigation (former SGP). A 2 hr seminar at your school helps your students design their inquiry questions and plan their primary data collection. The session includes simple fieldwork ideas and a demonstration of sampling techniques with accessible equipment.
People, patterns and processes - Fieldwork
Students investigate evidence of human diversity across the Earth’s surface. They examine the spatial patterns and extent of the human footprint, and the human transformations shaping those patterns. They investigate the unique character of places and how various human processes are shaping them.
Study 5: Technological advances and the transformation of places. Fieldwork: Sydney’s Rail Network
Fieldwork is undertaken on public transport with a focus on the rail network, both suburban trains and Metro.
Students collect primary data on several places across Sydney, to build a deeper understanding of the character and transformation of these places and the processes that have shaped and connected them through the the rail network.
Students also investigate technological advances in Sydney’s rail network, links to global trends and opportunities to enhance environmental sustainability and human wellbeing.
Field skills include:
Interpretation of historic photographs and constructing field sketches;
Using technology, various iPhone apps for primary data collection and navigation;
Recording observations and interpreting secondary sources in the field.
Human-environment interactions - Fieldwork
During this area of study students investigate the global nature of land cover change and human impacts upon natural systems.
Study 2: A contemporary hazard - Bushfire
The fieldwork investigation looks at the spatial distribution and nature of bushfire in the Australian context; magnitude, frequency, duration and temporal spacing. To build understanding of the natural physical processes and cycles, students collect data in the bushland environment as well as the human-environment interactions that have contributed to a change in bushfire regimes, including climate change. Management and responses to bushfire are also explored.
Primary data collection is supplemented by interpreting secondary information such as maps and statistics. The role of spatial technology and interpreting bushfire maps, such as the National Forest Fire danger index.
Field skills include:
using a hand lens and identification charts to study variegation communities and leaf litter invertebrates in areas affected by fire;
using a compass to determine site aspect and wind direction;
using an anemometer to measure wind speed;
learning to estimate fuel loads;
other physical tools: soil moisture, soil depth to understand site conditions.
This investigation has been written for northern Sydney (Ku-ring-gai) but could be adapted for other areas.
Human-environment interactions - Fieldwork at school
Although this topic is only allocated 20 indicative hours in the syllabus it still provides the perfect opportunity for fieldwork with close links to industry and future careers. Students investigate the global nature of land cover change and human impacts upon natural systems.
Study 2: A contemporary hazard (linked to mining or industrial land use)
The Fieldwork investigation is a mock contamination assessment, run at your school.
Field skills include:
understanding dial-before-you-dig plans and site walkover assessment
hand augering, construction of borehole logs;
soil texturing and classification;
soil sampling techniques and COC lab procedures;
comparing soil results to industry guidelines;
writing a modified EPA report.