Year 12 Geography Students Explore Sustainable Urban Planning in Perth
Learning moved beyond the classroom this week as our Year 12 ATAR Geography students explored Perth through the lens of sustainability, investigating how our city is responding to the challenges of a growing urban population.
Travelling through Applecross, the Perth CBD, East Perth and Subiaco, students took part in a full day of fieldwork, examining how different parts of the city have been planned, renewed and developed to create more sustainable communities. The excursion forms an important part of the Year 12 Geography curriculum, allowing students to apply classroom learning to real-world environments.
Bringing Geography to Life
Throughout the day, students investigated a range of key geographical concepts, including urban infill, transit-oriented development, urban renewal and integrated movement networks. By visiting each location firsthand, they observed how planning decisions influence how people live, work and move around the city.
Using a combination of bus, train and walking tours, students gathered field data, completed investigations and analysed examples of sustainable urban planning in action. For Ashlee, one highlight was the opportunity to connect classroom learning with the real world.
“I enjoyed getting out of the classroom and witnessing firsthand what we have been learning in class. It was fun to spend the day around the city and catching public transport.”
Claudia said the excursion gave her a greater appreciation of how today’s planning decisions will shape Perth’s future and inspired her to think about the role young people can play.
“The field trip showed us how the state was planning the city for the future and how we could contribute to this after school.”
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Fieldwork is an essential component of ATAR Geography, providing students with valuable opportunities to develop their observation, data collection and analytical skills while making meaningful connections between theory and practice.
Experiences such as these encourage students to think critically about the future of our cities and the important role sustainable planning plays in creating liveable communities for generations to come.
- ATAR Geography, Experiential Learning, Featured, Geography excursion, Geography fieldwork, learning beyond the classroom, Perth education, Santa Maria College, Senior School, Sustainable urban planning, Year 12 Geography
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
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