Stage 6 Programs
This Excursion can be used as a model for a DEPTH STUDY (5 Hours) Note: This excursion can be combined with Investigating Science. Focus – ‘Ecosystem Dynamics’ – Population Dynamics Outcomes: *BIO 11-11 *BIO 11-3 *BIO 11-4. *BIO 11-5 By working scientifically students investigate the key question of: ‘How healthy is the Penrith Lakes ecosystem? Activities include: Introduction to Penrith Lakes and the investigation site, instruction on using abiotic equipment, biotic and abiotic data collection, evaluation and conclusions related to the key question. Inquiry questions : Click here to view excursion program, worksheet and risk assessment. Click here to go to Pre/Post Resources
This excursion can be used as a model for a DEPTH STUDY (5 hours). Note: This excursion can be combined with Biology. Outcomes: *INS 11-1 *INS 11-2 *INS 11-3 *INS 11-5 Students conduct a collaborative practical investigation into water quality and collect a range of qualitative and quantitative primary data from Penrith Lakes. The basic inquiry question is: Click here to view excursion program, worksheet and risk assessment. Click here to go to Pre/Post Resources
This Excursion can be used as a model for a DEPTH STUDY (5 Hours) Focus – ‘Human Impacts’- Introduced Species – An Investigation in a Kayak Outcomes: *EES 11-1 *EES 11-2 *EES 11-3 *EES 11-11 This program involves a canoe paddle on the Nepean River or at Penrith Lakes. Student numbers are limited to 16 as set down in DET guidelines. ** If you have more the 16 students please refer to our Human Impacts – Water Management/Intro Species Program** Click here to view excursion program, worksheet and risk assessment. Focus – Biophysical Interaction Outcomes: *P1 *P2 *P9 A case study of the hydrosphere at Penrith Lakes and how the issue of urban run-off is being managed to ensure healthy recreational water quality in the lakes. Activities include: Introduction to Penrith Lakes, water management practices and catchment issues, water testing in catchment and Penrith Lakes, Scopes Creek – catchment management offsite and Waterside – water sensitive urban design and catchment issues. Key inquiry question: Click here to view excursion program, worksheet and risk assessment. Focus – Ecosystems at Risk Outcomes: *H2 *H5 *H6 *H8 *H9 A geographical investigation of the Nepean River and its surrounds, focusing on the local environmental issues and processes and how an understanding of these contributes to its sustainable management. Activities include: Kayak at Devlins Lane – First-hand plant species investigation that puts the ecosystem at risk, water testing at site, invertebrate investigation and evaluations of a biosphere. Student numbers are limited to 16 as set down in DET guidelines. Key inquiry question: Click here to view excursion program, worksheet and risk assessment. This Excursion can also be used as a model for a DEPTH STUDY (5 Hours) Focus – ‘Human Impacts’ – Water Management Outcomes: *EES 11-1 *EES 11-2 *EES 11-3 *EES 11-11 Students investigate the treatment and potential reuse of stormwater. They explore ways in which human activity can influence the availability and quality of water both directly and indirectly. Activities include : Introduction and tour of Penrith Lakes, water testing in the catchment and at Penrith Lakes, and a water management walk incorporating bird observation. A wrap up session concludes the day tackling the inquiry question: Click here to view excursion program, worksheet and risk assessment. Human Impacts – Water Management/Introduced Species | Stage 6 | Earth and Environmental Science This Excursion can also be used as a model for a DEPTH STUDY (5 Hours) Focus – ‘Human Impacts’ – Water Management and Introduced Species Outcomes: *EES 11-1 *EES 11-2 *EES 11-3 *EES 11-11 Students do not have to be ‘on the water’ and caters for larger class sizes. Activities include : Introduction to stormwater at Penrith Lakes, water testing in the catchment and at Penrith Lakes, a water management walk incorporating bird observation, aquatic invertebrate study to identify an introduced species (Gambusia). A concluding session covers human impacts on water quality and quantity (blue green algae), affects on the ecosystem of an introduced species and the local extinction of a native species at Penrith Lakes. Click here to view excursion program, worksheet and risk assessment.
Evaluations and conclusions involve a discussion of human impacts at Penrith Lakes and a recent local extinction event.
‘What effect can one species have on another species in a community?’
‘How can human activity impact on an ecosystem?’ are explored.
Students make inferences and conclusions derived from the primary data. It tests the hypothesis that the water quality at Penrith is suitable for the recreation activities currently operating and proposed in the future.
‘What inferences can be drawn from observations?’
The program focuses on the introduced aquatic plant, Salvinia. Through primary research, students discover how introduced species affect ecosystems.
What are the effects of human impacts on the functioning of the hydrosphere? 
What action is appropriate managing wetland ecosystems sustainably?
‘How can water be managed for use by humans and ecosystems?’