Science and Technology - Living wetlands and mangroves (Wetlands Campus)

Awabakal Environmental Education Centre- Wetlands Campus, 412 Sandgate Road, Shortland.

Stage 3 Science and Technology outcomes

A student: 

• plans and conducts scientific investigations to answer testable questions, and collects and summarises data to communicate conclusions ST3-1WS-S
• examines how the environment affects the growth, survival and adaptation of living things ST3-4LW-S
• explains how food and fibre are produced sustainably in managed environments for health and nutrition ST3-5LW-T

Key inquiry questions

How do physical conditions affect the survival of living things?

How do the structural and behavioural features of living things support survival?

Focus question: Why is it important for food and/or fibre to be produced sustainably?

Content

Living world

Growth and survival of living things

Students: 

• describe how changing physical conditions in the environment affect the growth and survival of living things, for example:

− Aboriginal Peoples’ use of fire-stick farming

− temperature of water in aquatic environments

• test predictions by gathering data and use evidence to develop explanations of events and phenomena (ACSHE081, ACSHE098) SciT
• understand that scientific and technological knowledge is used to solve problems and inform personal and community decisions (ACSHE083, ACSHE100) SciT

Adaptations of living things

Students: 

• describe adaptations as existing structures or behaviours that enable living things to survive in their environment (ACSSU043) SciT
• describe the structural and/or behavioural features of some native Australian animals and plants and why they are considered to be adaptations, for example: ComT SciT

− shiny surfaces of leaves

Sustainably managing environments to source food and fibre

Students:

• explain a sustainable practice used by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities to manage food and fibre resources

Learning across the curriculum

Sustainability 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures

Ethical understanding

Numeracy

Information and communication technology capability

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.

Printed workbook, clipboard and pencil. 

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.

Introduction - 10:00 am

Morning tea - 10:20 am

Learning activities - 10:40am

Lunch - 12:10pm

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.

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.

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. 

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 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 less than three school weeks notice may incur an administration fee. This does not apply to cancellations due to weather or fire danger. 

For bookings click here.