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What is VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies?
What is VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies?
VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies develops students’ understandings of outdoor environments, and the ways in which humans interact with, relate to and have impacted outdoor environments over time. ‘Outdoor environments’ encompasses landscapes, both local and further afield, that range in health from protected wilderness to those heavily impacted by human practices.
In this study, both passive and active outdoor experiences such as bushwalking, camping, cross-country skiing, canoeing, rock climbing, mountain biking, surfing and conservation activities may occur to provide essential means for students to develop experiential knowledge of outdoor environments. Such knowledge is then enhanced through the study of outdoor environments from perspectives of environmental history, ecology and the social studies of human relationships with nature. The study also examines the complex interplay between outdoor environments and humans historically through to the modern day, and into the future.
Outdoor experiences suited to this study are a range of guided activities in areas such as farms, mining/logging sites, interpretation centres, coastal areas, rivers, mountains, bushlands, forests, urban parks, cultural and historical sites, and state or national parks.
Unit 1
Unit 1
Connections with Outdoor Environments
This unit examines some of the ways in which Indigenous peoples and non-Indigenous peoples understand and relate to nature through experiencing outdoor environments. The focus is on individuals and their personal responses to experiencing 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, the factors that affect an individual’s access to experiencing outdoor environments and how they connect with outdoor environments.
Areas of Study:
1. Our place in outdoor environments
2. Exploring outdoor environments
3. Safe and sustainable participation in outdoor experiences
Unit 1 - Practical Experiences
May include activities such as or similar to:
- Great Ocean Walk overnight hike
- Mt Arapiles rock climbing and abseiling experience
*Additional program fees for Unit 1 - $250
Unit 2
Unit 2
Discovering Outdoor Environments
This unit focuses on the different ways to understand outdoor environments and the impact of humans on outdoor environments.
In this unit students study the effects of natural changes and impacts of land management practices on the sustainability of outdoor environments by examining a number of case studies of specific outdoor environments, including areas where there is evidence of human intervention.
Students develop the practical skills required to minimise the impact of humans on outdoor environments. They comprehend a range of vocational perspectives that inform human use of outdoor environments.
Areas of Study:
1. Understanding outdoor environments
2. Observing impacts on outdoor environments
3. Independent participation in outdoor environments
Unit 2 - Practical Experiences
May include activities such as or similar to:
- Bogong High Plains cross country skiing experience
- Big River / Lake Eildon paddling journey
*Additional program fees for Unit 2 - $250
Unit 3
Unit 3
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 over 60,000 years.
Students consider several factors that influence relationships with outdoor environments. They also examine the dynamic nature of relationships between humans and their environment.
Students are involved in multiple experiences in outdoor environments, including in areas where there is evidence of human interaction. Through these practical experiences, students make comparisons between, and reflect upon, outdoor environments, as well as develop theoretical knowledge and skills about specific outdoor environments.
Areas of Study:
1. Changing human relationships with outdoor environments
2. Relationships with Australian environments in the past decade
Unit 3 - Practical Experiences
May include activities such as or similar to:
- Melbourne cycling, river sledding and city experience
- Bellarine Peninsula coastal activities camp (surfing, snorkelling, conservation work)
*Additional program fees for Unit 3 - $250
Unit 4
Unit 4
Sustainable Outdoor Environments
In this unit students explore the sustainable use and management of outdoor environments. They observe and assess the health of outdoor environments and consider the importance of this health for the future of Australian outdoor environments and the Australian population.
Students examine the importance of the sustainability of human relationships with outdoor environments and the urgent need to balance human needs and the needs of outdoor environments. They investigate current acts and conventions as well as management strategies for achieving and maintaining healthy and sustainable Australian outdoor environments in contemporary Australian society.
Students engage in multiple related experiences in outdoor environments, conducting an ongoing investigation into the health of, and care for, these places. They learn and apply the practical skills and knowledge required to sustain healthy outdoor environments and evaluate the strategies and actions they employ.
Areas of Study:
1. The importance of healthy outdoor environments
2. The future of outdoor environments
3. Investigating outdoor environments
Unit 4 - Practical Experiences
May include activities such as or similar to:
- Murray River canoe journey
*Additional program fees for Unit 4 - $250
Who do I contact to find out more?
Who do I contact to find out more?
Mr Rohan Bowles: rbowles@cmc.vic.edu.au
Miss Sarah McClusky: smcclusky@cmc.vic.edu.au
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