Science & Technology: Living World

ST3-1WS-S A student plans and conducts scientific investigations to answer testable questions, and collects and summarises data to communicate conclusions

ST3-4LW-S A student examines how the environment affects the growth, survival and adaptation of living things

Geography: Factors that shape places

GE3-1 A student describes the diverse features and characteristics of places and environments

GE3-3 A student compares and contrasts influences on the management of places and environments

Amongst the undergrowth, midstorey and canopy we’ll find a remarkable array of creatures – including humans – going about their daily lives in the bush. We’ll use real-life field equipment to measure environmental parameters, examine bushland plants up close, and catch our own tiny creatures from the leaf litter and in a local creek. We’ll also discuss the important role of bushfires in keeping the ecosystem healthy.

Locations

• Camp Kedron (Ingleside)
• Camp Coutts (Waterfall)

Program outline

• Morning session: Welcome, site orientation, bushland profile, meet a plant
• Midday session: Land animal catch, measure environmental parameters
• Afternoon session: Human impacts, creek animal catch

The timing and location of activities will vary according to factors such as the students’ interests, the school’s schedule, and the environmental conditions on the day.

Teacher notes and sample worksheets for this program are available by request. Please use the button below.

It’s cool and shady under the rainforest canopy, which is just how the ferns, palms and mosses like it. We’ll use real-life field equipment to measure the difference in environmental parameters in the open and under the trees, find and meet some rainforest creatures, and consider how humans have changed the rainforest landscape for better or worse.

Location

• Mt Keira (Wollongong)

Program outline

• Morning session: Welcome, site orientation, rainforest profile, meet a plant
• Midday session: Rainforest animal catch
• Afternoon session: Measure environmental parameters, human impacts

The timing and location of activities will vary according to factors such as the students’ interests, the school’s schedule, and the environmental conditions on the day.

Teacher notes and sample worksheets for this program are available by request. Please use the button below.

The rock platform can be a challenging place to try and survive, but we’re going to meet some creatures that thrive there! We’ll use real-life field equipment to measure and record environmental parameters in the rock pools, get to know a familiar kind of alga, look at the beach sand up close, and even catch and observe some rock platform animals. This is also a good opportunity to observe the impacts humans have on marine wildlife and how important aquatic reserves are for protecting them.

Locations

• Fisherman’s Beach (Collaroy)
• Narrabeen rock platform

Program outline

• Morning session: Welcome, site orientation, aquatic reserve, alga activity
• Midday session: Sand composition, measure rock pool parameters
• Afternoon session: Marine animal catch and creature encounter, human impacts

The timing and location of activities will vary according to factors such as the students’ interests, the school’s schedule, and the environmental conditions on the day including tides.

Teacher notes and sample worksheets for this program are available by request. Please use the button below.

The tides ebb and flow, and the wetland creatures come out from hiding. What will we find in the mangroves today? You’ll be able to take a turn at using real-life field equipment to measure environmental parameters, and catch some wetland creatures to learn about their features and their living requirements.

Location

• Botany Bay (Kurnell)

Program outline

• Morning session: Welcome, site orientation, aquatic reserve, mangrove activity
• Midday session: Measure environmental parameters, human impacts
• Afternoon session: Mangrove/mudflat and seagrass animal catch and encounter

The timing and location of activities will vary according to factors such as the students’ interests, the school’s schedule, and the environmental conditions on the day.

Teacher notes and sample worksheets for this program are available by request. Please use the button below.

It’s time for a day at the beach! Sand dunes are fascinating places to explore, with magnifying lenses to observe tiny sand grains and scientific equipment to record environmental parameters. Yes, you will likely get sand in your shoes!

Locations

• Long Reef beach (Collaroy)
• Cronulla

Program outline

• Morning session: Welcome, site orientation, human development, sand dune profile
• Midday session: Meet a plant, measure environmental parameters
• Afternoon session: Leaf shake and sand dune animal catch

The timing and location of activities will vary according to factors such as the students’ interests, the school’s schedule, and the environmental conditions on the day.

Teacher notes and sample worksheets for this program are available by request. Please use the button below.