Biodiversity for Kids - Stage 2
Teacher checklist
Location – Buffalo Creek Reserve, eastern side of Pittwater Road, East Ryde.
Bus access - give information to driver. No bus entry into Buffalo Creek Reserve.
Cost - $16.00per student, no GST. Confirm numbers 2 weeks before excursion. Invoice will be based on confirmation.
Bring - medications, food, water, sunblock, hat, wet weather gear. Packed in a small backpack - only essential items.
Wear - sports uniform recommended. Hats and sturdy closed shoes essential for students, staff and parents.
Staffing - NSW DEC suggests a student/adult ratio of 15:1 for bushwalking. Parent helpers welcome, no preschoolers.
Name tags - reusable and pinned on.
School to provide – nil.
Extreme or wet weather - may result in the excursion being modified, postponed or cancelled. Includes days predicted to be above 350C, high winds, extreme bush fire danger and dust storms. If the forecast deteriorates overnight then contact the centre on 98161298 or 0418118697 or 0438842343.
Cancellations - less than two weeks notice $100. This does not apply to cancellations due to weather.
Medical or special needs - please notify Field of Mars EEC staff.
Field of Mars EEC is bin free. Students and teachers are encouraged to use ‘nude food’ containers. All waste contributing to landfill will be returned with you to your school.
Timetable – start and finish times are indicative only. When booking, please inform us of your arrival and departure times. The timetable may be adjusted according to your arrival and departure time and weather conditions.
Classes 1 & 2 / Class 39.45 – 10.15 / Introduction and fruit snack (Fruito/Crunch & Sip) – Buffalo Creek Reserve (BCR)
10.15 – 11.45 / Bushwalk from BCR to Sugarloaf Point / 10.15 – 11.00 / Invertebrate investigation
11.45 – 12.15 / Recess – Sugarloaf Point (no toilets) / 11.00 – 11.30 / Recess – BCR (toilets)
12.00 – 12.45 / Bushwalk to BCR / 11.30 – 12.45 / Bushwalk from BCR to Sugarloaf Point
12.45 – 1.15 / Lunch – BCR (toilets) / 12.45 – 1.15 / Lunch - Sugarloaf Point (no toilets)
1.15 – 2.00 / Invertebrate investigation / 1.15 – 2.00 / Bushwalk to BCR
2.00 – 2.15 / Conclusion and depart
Learning Activities
Bushwalk
The focus of the bushwalk is for students to observe the rich biodiversity of eucalypt and mangrove forest environments. Students will undertake a variety of activities to record their observations such as sketching and photography.
The bushwalk will traverse the mangrove forest of Buffalo Creek Reserve, the eucalypt forest of Sugarloaf Hill and the riverbanks at Sugarloaf Point. Emphasis will be made on looking for evidence of animals, their habitats and how the environment provides for their needs. Students will be shown some examples of relationships between living things. Examples will also be given of how traditional Aboriginal people and current park managers use science knowledge to understand and manage the natural environment and the survival of living things.
Invertebrate Hunt
The focus of this session is for students to work cooperatively to conduct an investigation to answer the question: What invertebrates inhabit the planted areas of Buffalo Creek Reserve?
Students will work cooperatively in small groups to undertake tree shakes that dislodge invertebrates from the foliage of shrubs for collection. They collect them into bug jars for close observation and identification using ID charts. If the gardens are suitable, and if time, the students will also undertake leaf litter investigations.
Supporting Resources
Biodiversity websites - http://fieldofmarseec.nsw.edu.au/resources/general/
Field of Mars Multitouch Books – https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/phasmids/id712107565?mt=13
Field of Mars iTunes U Course - https://itunes.apple.com/au/course/investigating-invertebrates/id725296002
Field of Mars Video Conferences - http://fieldofmarseec.nsw.edu.au/connected-learning/connected-classroom-lessons/
Syllabus Links
Environmental Education Objectives
Students will develop:
knowledge and understandings about:
· the nature and function of ecosystems and how they are interrelated (K1)
· the impact of people on environments (K2)
· career opportunities associated with the environment. (K5)
skills in:
· identifying and assessing environmental problems (S2)
· adopting behaviours and practices that protect the environment (S5)
values and attitudes relating to:
· a respect for life on Earth (V1)
· an appreciation of their cultural heritage (V2)
· a commitment to act for the environment by supporting long term solutions to environmental problems. (V3)
Science K-10 OutcomesA student:
ST2-4WS investigates their questions and predictions by analyzing collected data, suggesting explanations for their findings, and communicating and reflecting on the processes undertaken
ST2-11LW describes ways that science knowledge helps people understand the effects of their actions on the environment and on the survival of living things / Science K-10 Content
Students conduct investigations by:
· Following the planned method, adjusting procedures as necessary, including exploration, fieldwork, surveys and researching secondary sources
Living things, including plants and animals, depend on each other and the environment to survive (ACSSU073)
· Identify some factors in the local environment that are needed by plants and animals for survival
· Gather information about some relationships between living things, eg predator-prey, competitors and mutually beneficial relationships
· Describe some examples of how science knowledge helps people to understand the effect of their actions on the environment and the survival of living things (ACSHE051)
HSIE K-6 Syllabus Outcomes
ENS2.6 Describes people’s interactions with environments and identifies responsible ways of interacting with environments. / HSIE K-6 Syllabus Content
Environments Strand
· management and care of features, sites, places and environments
1