On 5 March 2025, our Year 12 Earth and Environmental Science (EES) students embarked on a field trip to the Georges River Environmental Education Centre as part of their case study on sand-mining and broader environmental processes. Through hands-on fieldwork, students explored critical topics such as erosion, biodiversity, pollution, and sustainable resource management. Here’s what some of them had to say about the experience:

Charlotte Hawkins found the practical aspects particularly engaging:
"The most interesting part of the day was working with all the equipment and learning more about how to stop erosion along the riverbanks. Fieldwork is incredibly important in science because it allows people to observe real-world processes and test theoretical solutions to challenges like erosion."

Scarlett Smit was fascinated by the study of biodiversity:
"By far the most interesting aspect of the day was learning about the organisms that inhabit the Georges River region and how scientists track animal DNA to identify species. Fieldwork helps bridge the gap between environmental predictions and reality, allowing us to assess human impact and progress toward sustainable resource management."

Charlotte Cornett emphasised the value of applying theoretical knowledge:
"The most interesting part of our 12EES excursion was having hands-on experience doing soil testing, which is relevant to many of the modules we have studied so far. Fieldwork is extremely important in science because the physical application of our theoretical knowledge solidifies it and makes it easier to form connections between previous and current EES modules."

Elias Elazzi found the discussion on microplastic pollution particularly insightful:
"The most insightful part of the day was learning about the plastic beads that end up in the water. Fieldwork allows for theoretical experiments to be tested in real-world scenarios, helping to identify any missing factors in calculations or unexpected variables in methods."

Tadanashe Mauwa enjoyed uncovering the history of the local environment:
"Learning about how Chipping Norton Lake came to be was insightful. Fieldwork is important because it allows you to get your hands dirty and collect your own data."

Matilda Post appreciated the chance to take learning beyond the classroom:
"The most interesting part of the excursion was getting outside and conducting a range of different tests on the Georges River. It's not something we get to do often, and getting outside of the classroom is always fun. Fieldwork is important in science because it allows scientists to test theories in real-world scenarios and collect data about the environment."

Jessica Vida highlighted the importance of fieldwork in addressing environmental challenges:
"The most interesting part of the day was having the opportunity to do fieldwork, as it put into action the theory we have been learning in class. Fieldwork is crucial in earth science to collect data and see what we can do to improve the state of our planet."

Excursions like these reinforce the value of hands-on learning, giving students the opportunity to connect classroom theory with real-world environmental challenges. By engaging in fieldwork, students not only deepen their scientific understanding but also gain practical skills essential for addressing issues such as erosion, pollution, and biodiversity conservation.

Mr Chris Ferry

Science Teacher