Early Stage 1 and Stage 1
Students will investigate what makes a place special to people, how they can care for them and why the wetlands are important to Aboriginal people. They will explore the needs of living things, collect data and determine external features of a variety of living things, including plants and animals.
The program will include, habitats, biodiversity, wetland animals and habitat needs.
PowerPoint introduction.
Discovery activities:
- Dip netting: collecting live pond animals,
- Wet room: conducting scientific investigations using microscopes
- Discovery classrooms: hands-on activities
- Wetland walk: with binoculars and map to view bird life on the outer ponds.
Check out our Filmpond movie In and around the pond at Wetlands Environmental Education Centre
For further information on curriculum links, program and excursion see below or contact us.
Further Information
Location
Awabakal Environmental Education Centre- Wetlands Campus, 412 Sandgate Road, Shortland.
Syllabus outcomes and content
Outcomes
Early stage 1:
Geography
A student:
- identifies places and develops an understanding of the importance of places to people GEe-1
- communicates geographical information and uses geographical tools GEe-2
Science and Technology
A student:
- observes, questions and collects data to communicate ideas STe-1WS-S
- explores the characteristics, needs and uses of living things STe-3LW-ST
Stage 1:
Geography
A student:
- describes features of places and the connections people have with places GE1-1
- communicates geographical information and uses geographical tools for inquiry GE1-3
Science and Technology
A student:
- observes, questions and collects data to communicate and compare ideas ST1-1WS-S
- describes observable features of living things and their environments ST1-4LW-S
Key inquiry questions
Early Stage 1:
- What do we notice about living things?
Stage 1:
- What are the external features of living things?
- How can we improve a local environment to encourage living things to thrive?
Content
Early Stage 1
Geography- People Live in Places
- Important places - investigate the importance of places they live in and belong to
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander places - investigate the Countries/Places important to Aboriginal
- Locating places - investigate how the location of places can be represented
Science and Technology- Living World
- Characteristics and basic needs of living things
Stage 1
Geography- People and Places
- Australian places - investigate places across a range of scales within Australia
- People’s connections to places - investigate people’s connections and access to places
- Local and global connections - investigate connections that people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, have to local and global places
Science and Technology- Living World
- External features of living things
- Living things live in different places
- Living things change
Learning across the curriculum
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures
Sustainability
Bus information
Drop off and collection Awabakal Environmental Education Centre (AEEC), Wetlands Campus located at Hunter Wetlands Centre, 412 Sandgate Rd, Shortland, Newcastle.
Please use School entry.
What to bring
Students should bring lunch, recess, refillable water bottle, hats, sunscreen, covered walking shoes plus any special requirements of the group (Wet weather gear when necessary). Non-aerosol insect repellent is advisable in summer.
Sample timetable
Introduction - 10:00 am
Morning tea - 10:20 am
Learning activities - 10:50am
Lunch - 12:00pm
Learning activties - 12:30pm
Finish- 2:00pm
Students will have morning tea and lunch on the grounds of the AEEC. This timetable is only a guide and may be adjusted.
Supervision
AEEC is a NSW Department of Education school and staff are trained DoE teachers specialising in Environmental Education.
AEEC teachers rely on the participation of visiting teachers to meet recommended supervision levels. Visiting teachers are ultimately responsible for behaviour of students, students with existing medical conditions or special needs.
Medical or special needs
Please notify Awabakal Environmental Education Centre of any medical conditions or special needs that may need to be taken into consideration when planning or delivering the program. Upon booking an excursion, a form will be emailed to complete to detail any medical or special needs.
Parent / carer helpers
As our staff are Department of Education teachers we don’t require parent helpers on the day. If your school decides to bring parents, we kindly ask that you keep the number to a minimum. For safety reasons and the nature of our sites, parents will not be able to participate in activities.
Extreme or wet weather
Extreme weather conditions such as heavy rainfall, high winds and extreme bush fire danger may result in the excursion being modified, postponed or cancelled. If you have any concerns regarding the weather prior to the excursion, contact Awabakal Environmental Education Centre on 4955 8673 or email awabakal-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au.
Cancellations
Cancellations less than three school weeks notice may incur an administration fee. This does not apply to cancellations due to weather or fire danger.
Bookings
For bookings click here.