Geography News

GEOGRAPHY NEWS

If you missed it, the last newsletter issue included information on the upcoming World Environment Day, which is on Wednesday the 5th of June. There are currently two competitions to enter, the photo competition and the drought resistant city design competition. You may submit in any format (Teams message, email, physical) to any of the VSC Geography teachers, by Friday 31st of May the latest. The winners will be announced on World Environment Day, at Lunchtime in N21/19 – where a range of activities and prizes will be given to anyone that attends. Can’t wait to see you there!

In other news, coming up soon at the beginning of Term 3 is the Subject Expo where students can find out more about the subjects, they are interested in selecting for Year 8, 9, 10 and 11. Amongst many reasons, one of the most important ones that Geography is such a good option is its cross-curricular links. It ties in with the following:

• English/Literacy for the written responses, critical thinking, and persuasive inquiries
• Maths/Numeracy for the heavy use of mapping, data collection and interpretation
• Other Humanities areas, with it being a social science (History, Economics, Politics)
• The sciences (chemistry, biology, physics, psychology, environmental science) all underpin the geographical processes of the world.

Speaking of science – recently one of the new fieldwork opportunities offered to students was the cross curricular exploration of Dandenong Ranges and Quary Park for the Ecosystem Services and Management Strategies. This was devised to tie together the topics being explored in two different classes, which many of the students undertaken both simultaneously.

Cross-curricular opportunities allow students to think critically about the information given to them, and to go beyond the one-track mindset that can hold people back. The cross-curricular method teaches students to break down boundaries and ultimately, creates innovative adults ready to make a difference to the world. This is why Geography may be a good choice to make in the upcoming subject selection. Following the Geo presence in the last few newsletters, here are some highlights from the most recent fieldworks! 😊

• Year 10 Geography and Environmental Science – Mr Connell and Ms Westmore

It wouldn’t be a true geography fieldwork without a little rain on our parade. But we didn’t let that rain stop our shine, as we undertook a lengthy investigation of two locations in Upper Ferntree Gully. With the fieldwork taking place on IDAHOBIT day, we made sure to celebrate the day from off-site.

The geography in action and environmental science classes went to upper Ferntree gully to research forest management. We did two précis sketches and vegetation line transects at the Dandenongs and The Quarry park. The field trip was beneficial for comparing the difference between the two sites and helped us develop our field skills and group work, along with immersing us in nature. – Sophie B, 10 Environmental Science.

On Friday the 17th of May, the Year 10 Geography In Action and Environmental Science classes joined together and went to the Dandenong Rangers and Ferntree Gully Quarry Reserve to see the forest management strategies in the area. They went there to compare the two places, with the abiotic and biotic features, human vs natural things, and management strategies, they also drew a sketch and did a line transect at both locations. The fieldwork was a good experience as they could experience it live and in action. There was a lot of walking, but we had lots of fun. We just want to thank Mr Connell and Ms Bleazby for taking us and dealing with us all day. – Meliz G, 10 Geography in Action.

• Year 9 Geography: Out on the Town – Mr Andrew Nyhuis

Students headed to the Melbourne CBD to investigate sustainable and cultural sites, and whether they supported liveability in Urban Areas. It’s a memorable fieldwork as it incorporates human and natural aspects, which are sometimes focused on in isolation or separately. Here in the CBD they come together through the infrastructure and the Yarra River.

I enjoyed the opportunity for a day out in the city for Geography. We started off with surveying the local people of Melbourne regarding the sustainability and liveability of the city, which was challenging at first but became easy once I got started. The people working at the Universal store were very nice and helpful. After the surveys, we had a walking tour of Federation Square, which I found very informative. - Ollie C, Year 9 Geography: Out on the Town