Invertebrate Art at Field of Mars - Stage 2&3
Teacher checklist
Location – Field of Mars Reserve, western side of Pittwater Road, East Ryde.
Bus access - give information to driver. No bus entry into Field of Mars Reserve.
Cost - $20.00 per student, no GST. Confirm numbers 2 weeks before excursion. Invoice will be based on confirmation.
Bring - medications, food, water, sunblock, hat, wet weather gear. Packed in a small backpack - only essential items.
Wear - sports uniform recommended. Hats and sturdy closed shoes essential for students, staff and parents.
Staffing - NSW DEC suggests a student/adult ratio of 15:1 for bushwalking. Parent helpers welcome, no preschoolers.
Name tags - reusable and pinned on.
Extreme or wet weather - may result in the excursion being modified, postponed or cancelled. Includes days
predicted to be above 35 C, high winds, extreme bush fire danger and dust storms. If the forecast deteriorates
overnight then contact the centre on 98161298 or 0418118697 or 0438842343.
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Cancellations - less than two weeks notice $100. This does not apply to cancellations due to weather.
Medical or special needs - please notify Field of Mars EEC staff.
Field of Mars EEC is bin free. Students and teachers are encouraged to use ‘nude food’ containers. All waste
contributing to landfill will be returned with you to your school.
School Provides: Paint Shirts
Field of Mars EEC provides: Paints, pencils, brushes, roller, canvas, Styrofoam printing blocks, printing inks, and
paper
Timetable – start and finish times are indicative only. When booking, please inform us of your arrival and departure
times. The timetable may be adjusted according to your arrival and departure time and weather conditions.
Art Group 1
Art Group 2
Introduction
10.00 - 10.15
Paint base colour on canvas
Bushwalk
Bushwalk
Paint Base colour on canvas
10.15 - 11.15
11.15 - 11.30
Recess
11.30 - 12.15
Invertebrate Investigation + second layer on canvas
12.15 - 1.00
Invertebrate Art
1
1.00 - 1.30
Lunch
1.30 - 2.30
Invertebrate Art
2.30
Conclusion & depart
Learning Activities
Bushwalk
The focus of the bushwalk is for students to observe the different places in the natural environment that invertebrates
can be found. The bushwalk will traverse a variety of environments, from the moist vegetation found along the creeks
to the dry woodland along the slopes of the reserve. Many invertebrate species will remain hidden during the walk so
particular emphasis will be placed on looking for animal evidence such as tracks, scats and sounds. The needs of
invertebrates in their environment and the important role of invertebrates in the bush will be emphasised. Students will
undertake a variety of sensory activities and be encouraged to make their own observations.
Invertebrate Hunt
The focus of this session is for students to work cooperatively to conduct an investigation, using simple equipment, to
explore and answer the question: What invertebrates live in the leaf litter?
Students will work in small groups to search for and collect leaf litter invertebrates in the gardens surrounding the
education centre. Collected specimens will then be examined using personal magnifiers and identified using ID charts.
Some of the collected invertebrates will be magnified onto the IWB and features and adaptations explained to the
students.
Invertebrate Art
Students examine the features of one or two chosen invertebrates up close, using a range of magnifying equipment,
paying particular attention to detail including numbers of legs, sections of the body, colour, shape, structure, texture
and patterns found on the invertebrate.
After careful observation and study of an invertebrate, students will create an artwork on canvas. This will involve the
use of a variety of media including rollers, pencil, brushes and paint.
Upon completion the canvases will be displayed for a short exhibition in the afternoon allowing students to admire and
evaluate their work.
If time permits, the students will be able to create a block print based on their observations of a chosen invertebrate.
These prints are made by drawing into a Styrofoam block. Ink is rolled onto the block that is then pressed onto paper
to create an artwork.
Supporting Resources
Invertebrate websites - http://fieldofmarseec.nsw.edu.au/resources/general/
Field of Mars Multitouch Books – https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/phasmids/id712107565?mt=13
Field of Mars iTunes U Course - https://itunes.apple.com/au/course/investigating-invertebrates/id725296002
Field of Mars Video Conferences - http://fieldofmarseec.nsw.edu.au/connected-learning/connected-classroomlessons/
Syllabus Links
Environmental Education Objectives
Students will develop:
knowledge and understandings about:
 the nature and function of ecosystems and how they are interrelated (K1)
skills in:
 adopting behaviours and practices that protect the environment (S5)
values and attitudes relating to:
 a respect for life on Earth (V1)
2
 an appreciation of their cultural heritage (V2)
Science K-10 Outcomes Stage 2 & 3
Science K-10 Content Stage 2 & 3
ST2-10LW describes that living things
have life cycles, can be distinguished
from non-living things and grouped,
based on their observable features
Living things can be grouped on the basis of observable features and can
be distinguished from non-living things. (ACSSU044)
ST2-11LW describes ways that science
knowledge helps people understand the
effect of their actions on the environment
and on the survival of living things
Living things, including plants and animals, depend on each other and the
environment to survive. (ACSSU073)
A student:
Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to
survive in their environment. (ACSSU043)
ST3-10LW describes how structural
features and other adaptations of living
things help them to survive in their
environment
A student:
 identify and use patterns in the observable features of living things
to group them, by using tables, diagrams or flowcharts
 identify some factors in the local environment that are needed by
plants and animals for survival
observe and describe the structural features of some native Australian
animals and plants
Students question and predict by:
 predicting what the findings of an investigation might be
(ACSIS231, ACSIS232)
ST3-4WS investigates by posing
questions, including testable questions,
making predictions and gathering data to
draw evidence-based conclusions and
develop explanations.
Students conduct investigations by:
Creative Arts Outcomes Stage 2 & 3
Creative Arts Content Stage 2 & 3
 working individually and collaboratively in conducting a range of
appropriate investigation methods, including fair tests, to answer
questions or solve problems
 accurately observing, measuring and recording data, using digital
technologies as appropriate (ACSIS087, ACSIS104)
VAS2.1 Represents the qualities of
experiences and things that are
interesting or beautiful by choosing
among aspects of subject matter

VAS2.2 Uses the forms to suggest the
qualities of subject matter,

Students will be able to explore a variety of artmaking
conventions related to observation drawing, printing and painting.

Extend the students’ knowledge and understanding of a variety of
media.

Students will have the opportunity to look at the art making
practices of other artists, from a variety of cultures, who have
explored invertebrates as their subject matter e.g. Ancient Egypt,
Chinese painting, Dutch Still-life, and Aboriginal painting.
VAS3.1 Investigates subject matter in an
attempt to represent likenesses of things
in the world.
VAS3.2 Makes artworks for different
audiences, assembling materials
Study invertebrates in their environment and look at the details
which often go unnoticed.
 Observe and study from nature the characteristics of invertebrates
and focus on details including size, shape, colour and texture.
Students:

Study invertebrates in their environment and look at the details
which often go unnoticed.

Observe and study from nature the characteristics of
invertebrates and focus on details including size, shape, colour
and texture.

Students will be able to explore a variety of art-making
conventions related to observation drawing and printing.
Extend the students’ knowledge and understanding of a variety of

3
in a variety of ways.

media.
Students will have the opportunity to look at the art making
practices of other artists, from a variety of cultures, who have
explored invertebrates as their subject matter e.g. Ancient Egypt,
Chinese painting, Dutch Still-life, and Aboriginal painting.
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