education
education
All our programs are tailored to support a chosen unit of study or as specifically requested by our clients.
Our Tertiary Education programs have been developed for specific units of study within a variety of courses (e.g. Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Urban Planning, Tourism, Environmental Education, etc.). We can also tailor programs upon request. The programs involve the exploration of a built environment (excursions), or an exciting interactive PPP (incursions). Students gain an appreciation for the community of animals that have adapted their needs and behaviours for urban areas. They also learn to evaluate decisions made during the planning of a city based on both efficiency and sustainability. Students are given a unique opportunity to learn more about the city in which they live, work and study! These programs are delivered by passionate facilitators with specialist knowledge on urban planning and sustainable development.
All Tertiary in-class presentations and field trips to built environments come with complimentary assessable work-booklets, which are tailored to the requirements of an institution. Our field trips allow for an in-depth, methodical and structured investigation of built environments. Alternatively, our “Urban Dynamics” incursion allows students who are unable to participate in a field trip to gain a basic understanding of built environments through a well-designed in-class presentation.
Excursions
Incursions
Below is an example itinerary for a 1-day “Built Environments” excursion. All excursion packages include the necessary work booklets and equipment.
| 08:00 | 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 institutions and airports |
| 08:45 | Arrive at destination for Activity session 1 This activity involves an introduction to the chosen city. Students will be guided through a site description and field sketch, followed by a discussion of what design elements they can observe that make the city a “green” or sustainable one. |
| 09:45 | Morning tea |
| 10:00 | Activity Session 2 Students will be taken on a guided walk around the city, during which they will complete a biodiversity survey. They will use the classification guides provided to identify plants and animals common in the area and will watch closely for evidence of other wildlife. The guides will explain how these organisms have adapted their needs and behaviours to effectively co-exist with humans. |
| 10:30 | Activity Session 3 The students will continue their guided walk of the city, this time stopping at infrastructure implemented for sustainability in human economy and liveability and/or in the natural environment. There will be opportunities to speak with a range of professionals from the urban planning industry, including architects, horticulturalists, and workers from the transport sector. |
| 11:30 | Lunch at destination Great areas to take a break and feel the energy of the city! |
| 12:30 | Activity Session 4 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! |
| 13:30 | Activity Session 5 Time for a bit of fun! During this activity, students embark on a quest around the city to answer the five questions provided by their guides just before the activity is to take place. Supervision will be provided. |
| 14:30 | Depart destination, back to institution or airport |
| 15:15 | Arrive back at institution or airport when required |
