Bowerbird builders incursion | Early Stage 1 Science and Technology
Program overview
Bowerbird builders is an Early Stage 1–Kindergarten Science and Technology incursion where students investigate how satin bowerbirds select materials and build and decorate structures.
After a shared reading of Bowerbird Blues by Aura Parker, students work collaboratively outdoors to design and construct bowers using natural materials and blue objects. They then create satin bowerbird-inspired artworks using natural materials and paint.
Learning intention
- We are learning to explain why satin bowerbirds build and decorate bowers and to design and construct a bower that could attract a mate.
Jump to: Program and curriculum | Essential information | Plan and prepare | Location | Related programs
Program and curriculum information
Program activities
Activities may change to suit student needs, timing and school arrangements.
Story time
The session begins with a shared reading of Bowerbird Blues by Aura Parker. Students observe and discuss how male satin bowerbirds select sticks and blue objects, arrange and decorate their bowers and use these structures to attract a female.
Students learn that a bower is a courtship display structure. It is not a nest or shelter; the female builds a separate nest after mating.
Bowerbird challenge
Students identify the design opportunity of creating a courtship display for a male satin bowerbird. Working collaboratively in the school grounds, they apply their observations about shape, materials, colour and arrangement to design and construct bowers using natural materials, then search for blue objects and use them to decorate their structures.
Bowerbird art
In the classroom, students create satin bowerbird-inspired artworks using natural materials and paint to express their understanding of these remarkable birds and their habitats.
Suggested timetable
Time |
Classes |
| 9.30–11.00 | Class A, B |
| 11.30–1.00 | Class C, D |
| 1.30–3.00 | Class E, F |
Include your school’s bell times in the notes section of the booking form. Session times may be adjusted in consultation with Field of Mars EEC staff.
Syllabus outcomes and content
Students will learn to
- explain why male satin bowerbirds build and decorate bowers
- identify how materials, colour and arrangement contribute to the purpose of a courtship display
- collaborate to design and construct a bower for a defined opportunity
- use natural materials and paint to represent bowerbirds and habitats in an artwork
The incursion directly supports the Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus (2024) through a collaborative design activity addressing a defined opportunity. It also directly supports the Creative Arts K–6 Syllabus (2024) through Visual Arts experiences using natural materials and paint to represent subject matter and ideas.
Observations and questions initiate design and digital solutions
Outcome
- STE-DDT-01 – identifies and uses technologies to make products to address user needs or opportunities
Content addressed
Understanding user needs inspires design and digital solutions
- Design and build a simple product that addresses a user need or opportunity
Visual Arts
Outcome
- CAE-VIS-01 – experiments with and identifies ways materials and techniques are used to represent subject matter and ideas in artworks
Content addressed
- Making and exhibiting: Artists make artworks using materials and techniques to represent subject matter and ideas
- Make artworks inspired by personal experiences or imagination to represent subject matter and ideas
Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus (2024) © NSW Education Standards Authority for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2024
English K–10 Syllabus (2022) © NSW Education Standards Authority for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2022
Tier 2 and 3 vocabulary
Essential information
Cost, class numbers and booking
Cost
DoE school $20 per student – GST free
Non-government school $26 per student – GST free, minimum charge $750 per class
A minimum charge of $750 per class applies to non-metropolitan schools.
Classes
A maximum of three program sessions can be delivered each day.
Each session can include a maximum of two classes, with up to 30 students per class.
Schools requiring more than one program day should book consecutive days.
Program costs
Program costs may change. If program costs change after you book, you will be charged at the original cost.
Booking policy
Confirm final student numbers and classes 7 working school days before the program.
Risk assessment and accessibility
View incursion risk assessments
Notify Field of Mars EEC before the incursion about medical, mobility, sensory, communication or other support needs so reasonable adjustments can be considered.
The school should ensure the selected indoor and outdoor learning spaces, furniture arrangements and movement routes are accessible and appropriate for participating students.
Classroom teachers are expected to attend and actively supervise students throughout the incursion.
Students who are unwell should not attend.
Weather, cancellations and rescheduling
The incursion may be modified, postponed or cancelled if travel or program delivery is unsafe because of extreme weather or fire danger.
Cancellation or rescheduling with less than 30 school days’ notice before the booking date – $650
Cancellation with less than 14 school days’ notice before the booking date – full program cost
Cancellation due to unsafe weather or fire danger – $0
Plan and prepare
Learning space and access
Provide one indoor learning space that can accommodate all students participating in each session. A school hall or empty classroom is suitable.
The room must remain available to Field of Mars EEC for the duration of the program day, including setup before the first session and pack-down after the final session.
Ensure the room, outdoor area, gates and movement routes are unlocked and available when Field of Mars EEC staff arrive.
Provide clear visitor sign-in, school-entry and parking instructions before the incursion. Where possible, arrange parking or an unloading area close to the main learning space.
Outdoor learning area
Reserve a suitable and accessible natural area within the school grounds for the bower-building activity.
The area should contain or provide access to fallen sticks, leaves and other natural materials that students can safely use to construct their bowers.
Inspect the outdoor area before the incursion and remove or manage temporary hazards. Ensure participating teachers understand the boundaries of the learning area and the required supervision arrangements.
Location
School incursions
Planning information for incursions delivered at your school, including learning spaces, accessibility, risk management and staff access.
Extend student learning
Use these student-friendly fact sheets before or after the Bowerbird builders incursion to introduce bowerbirds, animal-built structures, habitats and the materials birds use.
- Satin bowerbird fact sheet – Learn how male satin bowerbirds build and decorate bowers using sticks and colourful objects.
- Birds fact sheet – Explore bird features, behaviours, life cycles, habitats and the different structures birds build and use.
- Habitat fact sheet – Learn how habitats provide living things with food, water, shelter, protection and space.
- Shrub habitat fact sheet – Discover how dense shrubs provide food, shelter, nesting places and protected spaces for birds and other animals.
Learn with us
Book this incursion
Book this Early Stage 1 Science and Technology incursion using our online booking form.
Learning resources
Use curriculum-linked digital books, lesson ideas and classroom activities to extend learning about birds, habitats, natural materials and animal-built structures.
Related Early Stage 1 programs
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The secret life of birds excursion
Observe birds, habitats and features that help native birds survive.