Ecosystem explorers incursion
Science and technology
Program
Working as ecologists students investigate the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere of your school grounds or local bushland.
Learning intention
- We are learning to observe components of the environment.
- We are learning to identify living things and their habitats.
- We are learning to describe how living and non-living things depend on each other for survival.
Activities
Students will investigate the ecosystems found in your school grounds or local bushland reserve. The young ecologists will observe various habitats, recording the interactions between living organisms and their non-living surroundings, such as soil, water and air.
Fieldwork tools will include sensory observation, invertebrate hunts, scientific equipment and recording through sketching, mapping, watercolour and tallies in their take-home field journal.
Students will also work independently guided by task cards catering for a variety of learning styles. Teachers will be encouraged to take photographs for student use back in the classroom.
Hands-on activities focusing on food chains and ecosystem relationships will conclude the day.
This program is also available as an excursion to Field of Mars Reserve.
Essential information
| Cost 2025 |
DoE $25 per student – GST free Non-gov school $35 per student – GST free, min charge $750 |
| Cost 2026 |
DoE $27 per student – GST free Non-gov $37 per student – GST free, min charge $750 per class |
| Risk management | Risk management plan |
| Classes | Recommended maximum 6 classes. |
| Bring (if leaving school) | Sports uniform, backpack, medication, low-waste food, water bottle, sunblock, raincoat, hat, sturdy shoes, reusable name tag. |
| Watch | |
| Welfare |
May not suit recently unwell participants. For medical or special needs notify staff prior to program. |
| Extreme or wet weather | Program may be modified, postponed or cancelled due to predicted extreme temperatures, bush fire danger, heavy rainfall, high winds or dust storms. |
| Booking policy | Confirm student numbers and classes 7 days in advance. |
| Cancellation fee |
Less than 30 working school days – $600 Less than 7 working school days notice – full cost Weather or fire danger cancellation – $0 |
| Local bushland site | |
| Time | Activities |
| 9.15 - 9.45 |
Introduction Toilets, recess, equipment bags distributed |
| 9.45 - 12.30 | Bushwalk and activities, including recess |
| 12.30 - 1.00 | Lunch and toilets |
| 1.30 - 2.30 | Bushwalk and activities |
| 2.30 | Return to school |
| School site | |
| Time | Activities |
| 9.00 - 11.00 |
Introduction Ecosystem investigation - small animals |
| 11.00 - 11.30 | Recess |
| 11.30 - 1.00 | Ecosystem investigation - Habitats |
| 1.00 - 2.00 | Lunch |
| 2.00 - 2.30 | Food chains and ecosystem relationships |
Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus (2024)
Physical and living systems depend on energy
Outcomes
- Uses information to investigate the solar system and the effects of energy on living, physical and geological systems ST2-SCI-01
- Uses and interprets data to describe patterns and relationships ST2-DAT-01
Content
Living things depend on energy and materials to survive
- Identify the systems of Earth that make up environments: air – atmosphere, land – lithosphere, water – hydrosphere, living things – biosphere
- Describe how the needs of living things are provided by the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere
- Describe the relationship between habitat, ecosystem and environment
- Observe and describe living and non-living things in a habitat
- Describe how Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ practices support habitats to survive
- Describe the transfer of energy between plants and animals using food chains, Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary
Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2024
