Stage 4 - Landscapes and Landforms
Case Study - The Blue Mountains
Geography
Program Overview
This unique and highly engaging program allows students to learn about Blue Mountains World Heritage site through an engaging program. Students will go on a walk from Echo Point to Katoomba Falls and down to Furber Steps as well as first hand collect local weather data using a variety of instruments in order to further understand this unique natural environment. From this learning experience students will further develop their geography knowledge and understanding, fieldwork and group work skills.
Students will be thinking and working geographically, using geographic concepts and tools.
Focus
Geography Focus Area
Stage 4: Landscapes and Landforms
Program Activities
Introduction to Echo Point and Blue Mountains World Heritage
- Students will learn about the formation of various geological features, and why this area was selected as a World Heritage site and Aboriginal Dreaming site at Echo Point.
Prince Henry Cliff Walk
- Here students will walk from Echo Point to Katoomba Falls for an observation of various landscapes and landforms. This walk is all about observing the value of the landscape, valuing the biodiversity and protection of the area
Katoomba Park and Reid’s Plateau
- Students will use a variety of weather instruments to measure conditions on the day, such as light meters. They will also use a compass to identify wind direction and the location of some of the geological features in the area.
Furber Steps
- At this last stop, students will walk down to Furber Steps to learn about cool temperate rainforest in the area and to take a second round of weather data in order to compare the key differences that exist between the two habitats found in this area. Here students will also learn about some of the human impacts onto the area and how these can be minimised in order to prevent environmental degradation.
Note: This excursion is based in the Blue Mountains. Schools do not arrive or conduct any activities at the Penrith Lakes Environmental Education Centre.
- This program involves a substantial amount of walking (3-4km) over varied terrain, including long sets of stairs.
Key Syllabus Outcomes
- GE4 – PRI- 01 explains the processes and interactions that change people, places and environments.
- GE4 - MAN - 01 explains the management and protection of places and environments
- GE4 – APC -01 explains Aboriginal Peoples’ Custodian, care and management of Country
- GE4 - TAP- 01 selects and uses geographical tools to acquire and process geographical information
Key Content
- Use relevant geographical concepts
- Engage in geographical inquiry using geographical information
- Use relevant geographical tools
- Location and features of a variety of landscapes and landforms
- Geomorphic processes of tectonic activity, weathering, erosion and deposition that create and shape landscapes and landforms
- Human impacts that modify landscapes and landforms
- Environmental, economic, recreational and cultural value of landscapes and landforms
- Protection of landscapes and landforms on various scales
- Knowledges and Practices used by Aboriginal Peoples to manage and care for Country