SC4-LIV-01 A student describes the role, structure and function of a range of living systems and their components

SC4-CLS-01 A student describes the unique features of cells in living things and how structural features can be used to classify organisms

SC4-WS-01 A student uses scientific tools and instruments for observations

SC4-WS-02 A student identifies questions and makes predictions to guide scientific investigations

SC4-WS-04 A student follows a planned procedure to undertake safe and valid investigations

SC4-WS-05 A student uses a variety of ways to process and represent data

SC4-WS-08 A student communicates scientific concepts and ideas using a range of communication forms

Students begin their day in the bush with a detailed study of an arthropod, using diagnostic characteristics to classify it to Order level and noting its adaptations to investigate structure and function. Using microscopes, students observe specialised cells in plant leaves, before heading out into the landscape to measure biotic and abiotic factors of the ecosystem using field equipment, and discover how they might be linked. Catching animals in the creek allows students to reflect on the effect of pollution on population change in sensitive creatures.

Location

• Camp Kedron (Ingleside)
• Bantry Bay (Frenchs Forest)
• Camp Coutts (Waterfall)
• Manly Dam (Allambie)

Program outline

• Morning session: Site briefing, background, arthropod study, tree study
• Midday session: Biotic and abiotic testing in bushland communities
• Afternoon session: Creek water testing and animal catch

Activities are performed in a rotation to accommodate multiple classes. The timing and location of activities will vary according to factors such as the school’s schedule, number of classes, and the environmental conditions on the day.

Sample worksheets are available which also contain details of scientific skills, equipment and secondary data provided by this program. Contact us to request.

Venture among the rockpools to investigate marine creatures and their habitats. We’ll use scientific equipment to measure some of the biotic and abiotic factors to see if they are related, then capture and classify a marine animal for a close study of its observable features and adaptations.

Location

• Long Reef rock platform (Collaroy)
• Bass Point (Shellharbour)

Program outline

• Morning session: Site briefing, background, producer study
• Midday session: Biotic and abiotic testing in rock platform zones
• Afternoon session: Animal catch, food webs

Activities are performed in a rotation to accommodate multiple classes. The timing and location of activities will vary according to factors such as the school’s schedule, number of classes, and the environmental conditions on the day.

Location

Students begin by observing the microscopic and macroscopic structures of mangrove trees that help them survive in the challenging conditions of the intertidal zone. We’ll take measurements of biotic and abiotic factors in the wetland habitat and determine if they are linked. We’ll classify and study an animal species in detail to learn about its structure and function, and construct a food web to study the flow of energy through the wetland ecosystem.

• Botany Bay (Kurnell)

Program outline

• Morning session: Site briefing, background, mangrove and seagrass plant study
• Midday session: Biotic and abiotic testing
• Afternoon session: Animal catch in mangrove forest and seagrass meadows

Activities are performed in a rotation to accommodate multiple classes. The timing and location of activities will vary according to factors such as the school’s schedule, number of classes, and the environmental conditions on the day.

The subtropical rainforest is a jungle of trees, vines, ferns and epiphytes, all adapted to thrive in the rich soils and high moisture conditions. Students will examine a rainforest plant using microscopes to view its specialised cells, and study a local animal in detail to observe how its structure and function help its survival and reproduction in this rich and beautiful habitat.

We’ll consider the influences of geology, moisture and sunlight on rainforest organisms, take measurements of abiotic and biotic factors, and create a rainforest food web to investigate the flow of energy through the ecosystem.

Location

• Mt Keira (Wollongong)

Program outline

• Morning session: Site briefing, background, animal study and plant study
• Midday session: Biotic and abiotic testing
• Afternoon session: Rainforest animal catch

Activities are performed in a rotation to accommodate multiple classes. The timing and location of activities will vary according to factors such as the school’s schedule, number of classes, and the environmental conditions on the day.

SC4-6WS A student follows a sequence of instructions to safely undertake a range of investigation types, collaboratively and individually

SC4-7WS A student processes and analyses data from a first-hand investigation and secondary sources to identify trends, patterns and relationships, and draw conclusions

SC4-15LW A student explains how new biological evidence changes people’s understanding of the world

SC4-14LW A student relates the structure and function of living things to their classification, survival and reproduction 

Tidal rock platforms experience a range of biotic and abiotic conditions across the day, meaning the marine organisms must be adapted to survive extremes of temperature, desiccation, predation and competition, all determined by the tidal cycle. As we explore this challenging habitat, we’ll use scientific equipment to measure some of these abiotic factors, then capture and classify a marine animal for a close study of its observable features and adaptations.

Location

• Long Reef rock platform (Collaroy)
• Bass Point (Shellharbour) – coming soon!

Program outline

• Morning session: Site briefing, background, producer study
• Midday session: Biotic and abiotic testing in rock platform zones
• Afternoon session: Animal catch, food webs

Activities are performed in a rotation to accommodate multiple classes. The timing and location of activities will vary according to factors such as the school’s schedule, number of classes, and the environmental conditions on the day.

Sample worksheets are available which also contain details of scientific skills, equipment and secondary data provided by this program. Please request using the button below.

Location

This field trip features two distinct wetland ecosystems: mangrove forests and seagrass meadows. We’ll study the dominant plant species in each ecosystem to observe its adaptations and interactions with all the other creatures in its habitat. We’ll take measurements of biotic and abiotic factors in each habitat, capture and study marine creatures up close, and construct a food web to study the flow of energy through the ecosystem.

• Botany Bay (Kurnell)

Program outline

• Morning session: Site briefing, background, mangrove and seagrass plant study
• Midday session: Biotic and abiotic testing
• Afternoon session: Animal catch in mangrove forest and seagrass meadows

Activities are performed in a rotation to accommodate multiple classes. The timing and location of activities will vary according to factors such as the school’s schedule, number of classes, and the environmental conditions on the day.

Sample worksheets are available which also contain details of scientific skills, equipment and secondary data provided by this program. Contact us to request.

Complex bushland vegetation communities change character across the landscape according to biotic and abiotic factors such as soil moisture and aspect. We’ll take measurements of these factors using scientific equipment, and observe how the characteristics of tree species help them to survive and reproduce in their given habitat. We’ll also study freshwater creek ecosystems, collecting animals to create a lotic food web and observing one creature’s structure and function in detail.

Location

• Camp Kedron (Ingleside)
• Bantry Bay (Frenchs Forest)
• Camp Coutts (Waterfall)
• Manly Dam (Allambie)

Program outline

• Morning session: Site briefing, background, tree study
• Midday session: Biotic and abiotic testing in bushland communities
• Afternoon session: Creek water testing and animal catch, animal study

Activities are performed in a rotation to accommodate multiple classes. The timing and location of activities will vary according to factors such as the school’s schedule, number of classes, and the environmental conditions on the day.

Sample worksheets are available which also contain details of scientific skills, equipment and secondary data provided by this program. Contact us to request.

The subtropical rainforest is a jungle of trees, vines, ferns and epiphytes, all adapted to thrive in the rich soils and high moisture conditions. We’ll consider the influences of geology, moisture and sunlight on rainforest organisms, take measurements of abiotic and biotic factors, and study a local plant and animal in detail to observe how their structure and function help their survival and reproduction in this rich and beautiful habitat.

Location

• Mt Keira (Wollongong)

Program outline

• Morning session: Site briefing, background, rainforest habitat and plant study
• Midday session: Biotic and abiotic testing
• Afternoon session: Rainforest animal catch, animal study

Activities are performed in a rotation to accommodate multiple classes. The timing and location of activities will vary according to factors such as the school’s schedule, number of classes, and the environmental conditions on the day.

Sample worksheets are available which also contain details of scientific skills, equipment and secondary data provided by this program. Contact us to request.