education

P/K-2 Waterways

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Second Nature Education offers an amazing variety of educational and experiential programs to a variety of wetlands, waterways and catchments 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
  • 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 “Catchment Studies” programs for years P or K-2 have been specifically developed for this age group, and for a variety of learning abilities. Through participation, students gain a basic understanding and awareness of the importance of wetland ecosystems through direct interaction with the natural environment (excursion) or through an interactive PPP with a variety of wetland items to pass around/try (incursion). This experience can be delivered to complement the following units or modules:

Geography

  • Year 1 Features of Places (QLD) or Places have Distinctive Features (NSW)
  • Year 1 Places and our Connections to Them (VIC)

Science

  • Prep or Kindergarten Biological Sciences (QLD/VIC) or Living World (NSW)
  • Year 1 Biological Sciences (QLD/VIC) or Living World (NSW)
  • Year 2 Biological Sciences (QLD/VIC) or Living World (NSW)

Trip Overview

Primary teachers choosing to undertake one of our field-based “Catchment Studies” 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 flexibility to follow the specific interests of the group. Work-booklet-based field trips allow for a methodical and structured investigation of wetland environments. Virtual wetland 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 wetland environments through a well-designed in-class presentation.

Highlights

  • Use of binoculars e.g. bird watching
  • Identifying native and migratory shore birds
  • Using nets to catch invertebrates
  • Sketching
  • Map-reading/comprehension
  • Serene nature sounds
  • Beautiful walk through the wetlands

More Information

Inclusions

Excursions

  • Guided walk through the wetlands
  • Shore bird identification activity
  • “Magic spot” quiet reflection and field sketch
  • Nets to catch macroinvertebrates. Learn about bioindicators!
  • Equipment to measure chemical properties of the water (optional)
  • Presentation on human impacts (observable in the natural environment)

Incursions

  • An age-appropriate interactive PowerPoint presentation
  • Investigate ecosystem services provided by wetland plants with samples from living ecosystems to be passed around
  • Learn about the cultural value of some wetland plants (e.g. in art). A short craft activity is optional.
  • Undertake a variety of chemical tests on water samples taken from living ecosystems
  • Shore bird identification activities
  • Quiz (with prizes!) to assess comprehension
Educational Outcomes
  • Awareness and knowledge of wetland ecosystems
  • Appreciation for the diversity of wetland organisms
  • A basic understanding of how wetland ecosystems work including knowledge of the water cycle.
  • Awareness of the impacts of human activities on wetlands both locally and globally
  • Knowledge of local and largescale environmental issues affecting wetlands 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 wetlands
Itinerary

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

9:30      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

10:00   Arrive at destination for Activity session 1 The site you will visit will be part of a much larger

network of creeks, rivers and dams.  During this activity, you will learn where your study site is situated

in the relevant catchment and what ecosystem services the wetlands provide to adjacent and downstream

settlements. You will then conduct a visual survey to assess how humans use the space and the

disturbance this activity may have caused.

11:00   Activity session 2 The types of macro invertebrates hiding in the reeds that flank the banks can be a

good indication of how healthy or polluted a waterway is. During this activity, you will use nets to catch as

many water bugs as possible in the hour available. SIGNAL 2 sensitivity gradings of the bugs captured and

identified will allow you to judge the health of the waterway.

11:30   Lunch at destination Picnic lunch in a beautiful spot to enjoy the scenery.

13:00   Activity 3 Use binoculars to spot native and migrating shore birds amongst the trees and in the distance.

Describe and identify them with the help of your guides. Learn about the life cycle of birds and the

important role of migration.

14:00   Activity 4 “Magic spot” quiet reflection and field sketch. Students sit for a moment away from their

peers to look and listen to their surroundings. They should conduct a field sketch in this time.

14:30   Depart wetland site for school or airport

14:30   Arrive back at school or airport when required

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