7-10 Rainforest Studies

Secondary School (Yr 7-10) Programs

Our “Rainforest Studies” programs for years 7-10 have been specifically developed for units of study in Geography and Science. Each can however be tailored to a school’s needs. The programs are great fun and involve the exploration of a natural environment (excursions), or an exciting interactive PPP with classroom activities (incursions). A detailed understanding and awareness of the importance of rainforest ecosystems and a new-found appreciation for this amazing habitat are key outcomes. These programs are delivered by passionate facilitators with specialist knowledge on rainforests. The experiences can be delivered to complement the following units or modules:

Geography

Year 7 Place and Liveability
Year 8 Landscapes and Landforms
Year 9 Geographies of Interconnections (QLD/VIC) or Interconnections (NSW)
Year 9 Sustainable Biomes (NSW)
Year 9 Changing Places (NSW)
Year 10 Environmental Change and Management

Science

Year 7 Biological Sciences (QLD/VIC) or Living World (NSW)
Year 8 Earth and Space Sciences (QLD/VIC) or Earth and Space (NSW)
Year 9 Biological Sciences (QLD/VIC) or Living World (NSW)
Year 10 Earth and Space Sciences (QLD/VIC) or Earth and Space (NSW)

Cultural

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures

Trip Overview

Australia is home to some of the oldest and largest sections of rainforest in the world! On this adventure, you will learn about the importance of rainforest ecosystems as well as their function in providing economic benefits to humans. You will also use a variety of fieldwork techniques to investigate a rainforest ecosystem. If you are seeking a different approach to your rainforest study, we can design a program that is suitable for you.

Highlights

Getting deep into the rainforest
Amazing views of hundred- (sometimes thousand-) year-old rainforest trees!
Tasting bush tucker (e.g. native raspberries)
Biodiversity surveys
Scientific equipment use (anemometers/barometers/thermometers etc.)
Map-reading/comprehension
Identification using age-appropriate keys
Use of magnifying glasses e.g. to look for trap-door spider doors!
Use of binoculars e.g. bird watching
Looking for additional evidence of wildlife e.g. scratches from the claws of a monitor!
Identifying adaptations of rainforest trees (roots/ wind/ light/ reproduction etc.)
Gaining experience in planning and conducting scientific field studies!
Talk from a National Park Ranger!

More Information

Inclusions

Excursions

Guided walk through the rainforest
Discussion of zoning at a rainforest lookout
Rainforest plant identification activity
“Magic spot” quiet reflection and field sketch
Passing around of propagules and discussion of how they work
Presentation on human impacts (observable in the natural environment)
Field work (quadrat or transect studies)

Incursions

An age-appropriate interactive PowerPoint presentation
Investigation of rainforest adaptations using samples taken from a living ecosystem
Testing pH using samples taken from a living ecosystem
Bird and plant identification activities
Active “Food Chains and Food Webs” game
Quiz (with prizes!) to assess comprehension

Educational Outcomes

Awareness and knowledge of rainforests
Appreciation for the diversity of rainforest organisms
A basic understanding of how rainforest systems work including knowledge of food chains/webs, habitats and propagules.
Awareness of the impacts of human activities on rainforests both locally and globally
Knowledge of local and largescale environmental issues affecting rainforests including habitat destruction, overharvesting, invasive species, habitat fragmentation and pollution
Learning of sustainable behaviours that minimise these issues
A sense of connection to and feeling of stewardship towards Australia’s rainforests
An understanding of the complex processes involved in managing our rainforests in a sustainable manner.
Experience in planning and conducting scientific field studies

Itinerary

Below is an example itinerary for a 1-day “Rainforest Investigation” excursion. All excursion packages include the necessary work booklets and equipment.

09:00	Tour group pick- Second Nature have a fleet of vehicles available to cater for any number of passengers (within reason). We can provide transport to and from schools and airports
09:45	Arrive at destination for Activity session 1 Rainforests rely on an intricate community of plants and animals to sustain ecosystem services (such as water/air purification, carbon sequestration, etc.) that are imperative to human survival and economy. During this activity, you will identify plants and animals of the rainforest. You will then learn about how they interact with each other and their environment (for example, through food webs or nutrient cycling).
10:45	Morning tea
11:15	Activity Session 2 Line transects and quadrat surveys are frequently utilised by field scientists to monitor how an area changes over time. During this activity, students will be divided into groups to assess an area using techniques explained by our guides. The activity will involve taking measurements of physical factors using supplied equipment and recording results in a data collection table. This is excellent hands on experience in the field!
12:15	Lunch at destination Great areas to take a break and enjoy the scenery
13:15	Activity Session 3 Australia’s rainforests are popular destinations for ecotourism. In this optional activity, students learn about the concept of ecotourism. They observe the infrastructure in place to support increased traffic through the rainforest and discuss how human impacts are managed sustainably.
14:15	Depart destination, back to school or airport
15:00	Arrive back at school or airport when required

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Second Nature Education offers an amazing variety of educational and experiential programs to a variety of warm and cool sub-tropical as well as tropical rainforest locations in: Queensland and New South Wales; throughout Australia; and overseas.