Overview

Outdoor Education and Environmental Studies have now amalgamated to become a new subject known as Outdoor and Environmental Studies.

Please note there is a compulsory $520 materials charge for this subject.


Unit One – Exploring Outdoor Experiences

This unit examines some of the ways in which humans understand and relate to nature through experiences of outdoor environments. The focus is on individuals and their personal responses to, and experiences of, outdoor environments. Students are provided with the opportunity to explore the many ways in which nature is understood and perceived.

Students develop a clear understanding of the range of motivations for interacting with outdoor environments and the factors that affect an individual’s access to outdoor experiences and relationships with outdoor environments.

Through outdoor experiences, students develop practical skills and knowledge to help them live sustainably in outdoor environments. Students understand the links between practical experiences and theoretical investigations, gaining insight into a variety of responses to, and relationships with, nature.

  • Area of Study 1 – Motivations for outdoor experiences
  • Area of Study 2 – Influences on outdoor experiences

Unit Two – Discovering Outdoor Environments

This unit focuses on the characteristics of outdoor environments and different ways of understanding them, as well as the impact of humans on outdoor environments.

In this unit students study the impact of nature on humans, and the ecological, social and economic implications of the impact of humans on outdoor environments. Students develop a clear understanding of the impact of technologies and changing human lifestyles on outdoor environments.

Students examine a number of case studies of specific outdoor environments, including areas where there is evidence of human intervention. They develop the practical skills required to minimise the impact of humans on outdoor environments. Through practical experiences students are able to make comparisons between and to reflect upon outdoor environments, as well as to develop theoretical knowledge about natural environments.

Area of Study 1 – Investigating outdoor environments
Area of Study 2 – Impacts on outdoor environments

Assessment Tasks

  • Practical Participation
  • Short Response
  • Test
  • Journal
  • Data Analysis
  • Written Response
  • Extension Response

Possible Practical Activities

  • Fishing
  • Team Building
  • Aquatic Safety
  • Surfing (Camp)
  • Mountain Biking
  • Bushwalking
  • Orienteering
  • Environmental Studies
  • Snow Activities
  • High Ropes Challenge
  • Rock Climbing

Approximate cost: $520

Unit Three – Relationships With Outdoor Environments

The focus of this unit is the ecological, historical and social contexts of relationships between humans and outdoor environments in Australia. Case studies of a range of impacts on outdoor environments are examined in the context of the changing nature of human relationships with outdoor environments in Australia.

Students consider a number of factors that influence relationships with outdoor environments. They also examine the dynamic nature of relationships between humans and their environment.

Students are involved in one or more experiences in outdoor environments, including in areas where there is evidence of human interaction. Through these practical experiences students are able to make comparisons between and to reflect upon outdoor environments, as well as to develop theoretical knowledge and skills about specific natural environments.

  • Area of Study 1 – Historical relationships with outdoor environments
  • Area of Study 2 – Relationships with Australian environments since 1990

Students will undertake a number of practical activities directly related to the theory component of this subject. They will be required to complete a variety of assessment tasks to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the human interaction with the environment.

Students will complete School Assessed Coursework (SAC) during Unit 3 that will contribute to 25% to the study score.

Unit Four – Sustainable Outdoor Relationships

In this unit students explore the sustainable use and management of outdoor environments. They examine the contemporary state of environments in Australia, consider the importance of healthy outdoor environments, and examine the issues relating to the capacity of outdoor environments to support the future needs of the Australian population.

Students examine the importance of developing a balance between human needs and the conservation of outdoor environments and consider the skills needed to be environmentally responsible citizens. They investigate current acts and conventions as well as management strategies for achieving and maintaining healthy and sustainable environments in contemporary Australian society.

Students engage in one or more related experiences in outdoor environments. They learn and apply the practical skills and knowledge required to sustain healthy outdoor environments, and evaluate the strategies and actions they employ. Through these practical experiences students are able to make comparisons between and to reflect upon outdoor environments, as well as to develop and apply theoretical knowledge about outdoor environments.

  • Area of Study 1 – Healthy outdoor environments
  • Area of Study 2 – Sustainable outdoor environments

Students will undertake a number of practical activities directly related to the theory component of this subject. They will be required to complete a variety of assessment tasks to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the human interaction with the environment.

Students will complete School Assessed Coursework (SAC) during Unit 4 that will contribute to 25% to the study score.

At the completion of Unit 3 and 4, students will undertake a written examination that will contribute to 50% to their final assessment. All key knowledge and key skills that underpin the outcomes in Unit 3 and 4 are examinable.

Possible Practical Activities * Fishing * Country Skiing * Team Building * Aquatic Safety * Surfing (Camp) * Mountain Biking * Bushwalking * Wilson’s Promontory overnight camp * Orienteering * Environmental Studies * Snow Activities

Approximate cost: $520