VCE - Outdoor & Environmental Studies
P A G E 4 2 | P A K E N H A M S E C O N D A R Y C O L L E G E S E N I O R S C H O O L 2 0 2 6 H A N D B O O K
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?
Students examine some of the ways in
which Indigenous peoples and non-
Indigenous peoples understand and
relate to nature through experiencing
outdoor environments.
They 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.
Students will focus on the different ways
to understand outdoor environments and
the impact of humans on outdoor
environments. They study the effects of
natural changes and impacts of land
management practices on the
sustainability of outdoor environments.
Through reflecting upon their experiences
of outdoor environments, students make
comparisons between outdoor
environments, as well as develop
theoretical knowledge about natural
environments.
Through outdoor experiences, students
develop practical skills and knowledge to
help them act sustainably in outdoor
environments. Students in this elective will
engage in outdoor recreation activities in
outdoor environments both local and afar.
UNIT 1: CONNECTIONS WITH OUTDOOR
ENVIRONMENTS
Indigenous peoples’ and non-Indigenous
peoples’ ways of knowing outdoor
environments
Features of biomes
The range of motivations for experiencing
outdoor environments
The influence of depictions of
experiencing outdoor environments on
personal responses, such as in the
mainstream media
Factors that affect access to
experiencing outdoor environments
The variety of personal responses to risk
when experiencing outdoor environments
and risk management of outdoor
experiences
How to participate safely in outdoor
experiences and have sustainable
interactions with outdoor environments
Basic first aid skills
UNIT 2: DISCOVERiNG OUTDOOR
ENVIRONMENTS
Scientific understandings of a range of
outdoor environments
Indigenous peoples’ land management
understandings and perspectives of an
outdoor environment
Understandings of vocational
perspectives of outdoor environments
Impacts of conservation, economic
and recreational activities on a range
of outdoor environments
Direct and indirect impacts of
technologies that support human
interactions with outdoor environments
Identification and management of
threatened species and/or ecological
communities in an outdoor
environment
How to conduct safe and sustainable
peer-led outdoor activities