Stage 3 Geography Unit of Work: Factors that Shape Places - Contemporary Land Use
Since the late 1800s Manly has been one of Australia’s most popular seaside resorts due to the appeal of its natural environment of sun, sand, surf and sea. It was the birthplace of the surfing culture in Australia and currently more than 8 million tourists and backpackers visit this iconic destination each year.
Program overview
Students have the option of starting their learning journey at Circular Quay, identifying the many tourist attractions and historic landmarks dotted around Sydney Harbour on the ferry trip to Manly.
With access to both coastal and harbour environments and the highly developed tourist infrastructure, students will:
- observe the geographic characteristics of Manly
- investigate how the environment has shaped human activities and settlement and
- how humans, in turn, have modified their surroundings.
Syllabus inquiry questions
- How do people and environments influence one another?
- How do people influence places and the management of spaces within them?
Learning experiences
There are a variety of fieldwork options available to choose from during this excursion that highlight the interactions and connections between people, places and environments:
- On the ferry trip from Circular Quay students map the many tourist attractions and historic landmarks around Sydney Harbour on their way to Manly.
- To learn about the natural and human features of places and how they are used, a land-use mapping activity and field sketch with a focus on BOLTS is completed overlooking Manly Cove and the Manly ferry wharf.
- Explore the diversity and distribution of marine life on the rock platform at Fairlight. Students experience first-hand how the physical conditions of the environment affect the marine invertebrates that live there.
- Examine the Manly Water Catchment Model which highlights the problems associated with stormwater in a highly urbanised catchment and the impact it has on our waterways. A very practical and visual learning experience for students.
- Conduct an audit of the environmental impacts of tourism in Manly. Students will examine the geographical characteristics of the site, the interconnections between the place and a range of people with varying points of view, the role of government in the issue, and sustainability considerations.
- Complete a simple mapping (transect) activity along the Corso in central Manly to classify how people use urban spaces.
- Conduct a microplastics survey at Manly Cove. Students consider the amount and type of litter and discuss ways they can reduce the impact of marine debris on the local environment and contribute positively to sustainability.
Once you have booked your program, our team at the Coastal Environment Centre will be in touch to plan your preferred activities.
Key syllabus outcomes
Geography: Factors that Shape Places - Contemporary land use
A student:
- describes the diverse features and characteristics of places and environments GE3-1
- explains interactions and connections between people, places and environments GE3-2
- compares and contrasts influences on the management of places and environments GE3-3
- acquires, processes and communicates geographical information using geographical tools for inquiry GE3-4
Science: Earth and Space
A student:
- Plans and conducts scientific investigations to answer testable questions and collects and summarises data to communicate conclusions. ST3-1WS-S
- Examines how the environment affects the growth, survival and adaptation of living things. ST3-4LW-S
Key question: How have people influenced the characteristics of this place, including its management?
