education

P/K-2 Mangroves

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Second Nature Education offers an amazing variety of educational and experiential programs to a variety of mangrove locations in: Queensland and New South Wales; throughout Australia; and overseas.

All our programs are either tailored to support relevant units within the new curriculum, or as specifically requested by our clients.

What We Provide 

  • Award-winning educators/ facilitators
  • Itineraries and Flyers
  • Curriculum-based work-booklets
  • All relevant equipment (supplying up to 150x students per session)
  • Example assessment tasks
  • Transportation options (we provide quotes to utilise our own buses for every excursion and can purchase all relevant flights relating to your program where applicable)
  • Pre/Post Excursion Activities (usually a PPP)
  • Risk Assessment (location specific)
  • Variety of field-work locations (where available)
  • Accommodation options (we provide quotes to utilise the most affordable and most appropriate accommodation to suit your needs)
  • Catering options (we provide quotes to utilise our own in-house catering service for every excursion (where available) and/or catering through a third-party provider

Primary School (P/K-2) Programs

Our P-2 (or K-2 if you’re in NSW) programs have been specifically developed for this age group, and for a variety of learning abilities. Through our “Mangroves” excursion, students gain a basic understanding and awareness of the importance of mangrove ecosystems through direct interaction with the natural environment (excursions) or through an interactive PPP with a variety of mangrove items to pass around/try (incursions). This experience can be delivered to complement the following units or modules:

  • Year 2 Biological Sciences (QLD/VIC) or Living World (NSW)

Trip Overview

Australia has the third largest area of mangroves in the world! Primary teachers choosing to undertake one of our field-based mangrove excursions have the option of an ‘Experiential’ field trip (usually Grades K/P-4) or a ‘Work-booklet’ based field trip (usually grades 5-6/7). Experiential field trips are less structured than work-booklet-based field trips, and allow the flexibility to follow the specific interests of the group. Work-booklet-based field trips allow for a methodical and structured investigation of mangrove environments. Virtual mangrove investigations allow students who are unable to participate in a field trip (e.g. due to finances, proximity to habitat, behaviour issues, etc.) to gain a basic understanding of mangrove environments through a well-designed in-class presentation.

Highlights

  • Getting into the mud/sand
  • Sketching
  • Map-reading/comprehension
  • Biodiversity surveys
  • Serene nature sounds
  • Tasting salty mangrove leaves!
  • Identification using age-appropriate keys
  • Use of magnifying glasses e.g. to look for lenticels
  • Use of binoculars e.g. bird watching
  • Looking for additional evidence of wildlife (possum drays, crab burrows etc.)
  • Identifying adaptations of mangrove (roots/ salt/reproduction etc.)

More Information

Inclusions

Excursions

  • Guided walk through the mangroves
  • Mangrove tree identification activity
  • Crab and shellfish identification activities
  • “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 (simple quadrat or transect studies)

Incursions

  • An age-appropriate interactive PowerPoint presentation
  • Investigation of mangrove adaptations using samples taken from a living ecosystem
  • Testing pH using samples taken from a living ecosystem
  • Bird and tree identification activities
  • Active “Food Chains and Food Webs” game
  • Quiz (with prizes!) to assess comprehension
Educational Outcomes
  • Awareness and knowledge of beach ecosystems
  • Appreciation for the diversity of coastal organisms
  • A basic understanding of how dynamic beach ecosystems work including knowledge of food chains/webs, habitats and propagules.
  • Awareness of the impacts of human activities on beaches (and other coastal environments) both locally and globally
  • Knowledge of local and largescale environmental issues affecting beaches 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 beaches
  • An understanding of the complex processes involved in managing our beaches in a sustainable manner.
Itinerary

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

08:30 Tour group pick-up 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
09:00 Arrive at destination for Activity session 1 Mangroves are highly complex and unique ecosystems that are important to the marine and intertidal environments. Mangroves perform many crucial ecological functions as well as providing economic benefits to humans. During this activity, you will learn about the many aspects that make mangroves important
10:30 Lunch at destination Great areas to take a break and enjoy the scenery
11:15 Activity session 2 There are many interesting adaptations mangrove flora possess to survive. With the help of our experienced guides, activities will take place within the mangroves to identify mangrove trees and the unique ways they cope with their environment.
12:30 Afternoon tea
12:45 Activity 3 Mangroves are home to many faunal species. Crabs and shellfish make up an important part of this biodiversity. This activity involves identifying crabs and shellfish using dichotomous keys and classification guides. You will soon come to grip their importance in the ecosystem.
13:45 Activity 4 This activity involves a biodiversity survey. Students observe and report on all living things other than the famed mangrove trees that make up the forest.
14:30 Depart destination, back to school or airport
15:00 Arrive back at school or airport when required

 

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