Remember: before you both set out, it’s important that you have the right supplies – water, food, a first aid kit, a whistle, a torch and sun protection should come in handy. Let your teen select the walk, use the map, navigate and lead the way. For this activity, a physical paper map and compass are best.
Go for a bush walk
Sometimes there's no better way to put maths into practice than in the great Australian outdoors. Take your child or teen out on a hike at a national park, and work together to plan your adventure by applying their knowledge of position.
1 hour minimum
3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10
09 March 2021
Things you need
- Paper map
- Hiking gear (proper shoes, water, food, sun protection)
- Compass
- First-aid kit
- Mobile phone
The challenge
If your teenager has grown up with a love for the great outdoors, encourage them to develop their positioning skills by navigating a bush walk or hiking trail.
The conversation
Talk to your teen as you’re doing the walk. Ask questions like:
- "How much longer until we get to our destination?"
- "How are you measuring the distance?"
- "How are you identifying the position of key landmarks?"
- "I'm tired! What is the right way to get home?"
These questions about positioning will also apply to any form of driving or travelling.
The career
If your teenager is interested in a career working in nature, or travelling, they’ll need a good knowledge of position. Pilots, museum curators, forest rangers, farmers and surf instructors all use a deep understanding of positioning on a daily basis, as do planning officers, engineers, architects and military personnel.
