Students investigate how Centennial Parklands is managed as a shared public space that must balance recreation, conservation and sustainability.
Stage 3 HSIE Geography
In this excursion, Centennial Parklands becomes a dynamic outdoor classroom where students investigate how places are organised, used and managed over time.
Students engage in exploring change over time, investigating how the landscape functions today, and designing solutions for future environmental challenges. They analyse how natural and built features shape the use of space, collect and interpret geographical information in the swamp environment, and apply their thinking to respond to scenarios such as flooding or drought.
Learning is active and inquiry-driven, supporting students to think like geographers while developing a deeper understanding of sustainability, environmental management and the role people play in shaping places.
Learning intention
Students will:
- explore how Centennial Parklands is organised, mapped and managed for multiple users
- analyse strategies used to protect habitats, wildlife and cultural features
- evaluate sustainable practices such as waste management, water use and conservation programs
- consider their responsibilities as local and global citizens when visiting shared spaces
- use geographical information to propose actions to improve park sustainability.
Activities
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Change over time: Students investigate key zones of Centennial Parklands (Grand Drive, picnic areas, wetlands, sports fields) to identify management strategies such as pathways, signage, fencing, habitat protection, waste systems, access routes and shared-use planning. Students record observations using sketches, tallies and short notes to identify potential management challenges.
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Fieldwork journal observations: Through field observation and sketch mapping, students collect geographical information to understand how spaces are designed and managed for different uses.
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Design and make: Students use natural loose parts (sticks, stones, sand, leaves) to build a scaled model of a park improvement to protect the area through an environmental event.
Curriculum links and syllabus outcomes
HS3-GEO-01 examines global citizenship and how people organise, protect and sustainability use the environment, using geographical information
Vocabulary
Management, sustainability, conservation, global citizenship, stakeholder, impact, habitat protection, access, waste management, shared spaces, zone, strategy, enforcement, community responsibility.
Make the most of your excursion with our engaging classroom resources designed to support your teaching.
The Education Access Pass Program covers all program and transport costs for schools with an FOEI higher than 125 and community organisations that work with groups in need.
Please contact us directly with the name of the program and your group size and we can help you organise a free program.
This program is funded through the Legacy Fund of the Centennial Parklands Foundation.