Ecosystem scientist

Program

Ecosystem scientist takes Stage 2 students on a journey into the fascinating world of living things and their interconnections.

In this hands-on, full-day incursion, students will rotate through three engaging activities: tracking wildlife through the signs they leave behind, unravelling the links in local food webs, and searching for invertebrates that play vital roles in the environment.

Guided by Gibberagong teachers, students will observe, investigate, and think like scientists as they deepen their understanding of how ecosystems function.

Learning intentions

Students are learning about:

how scientists use evidence such as scats, tracks and other signs to identify and learn about the animals living in an environment
the relationships that exist between animals and decomposers in an ecosystem, and why these connections are important
how invertebrates contribute to the health and balance of ecosystems

Key information

Learning activities

Session 1: Tracks and scats

Students become nature detectives, learning how to identify animals by the clues they leave behind. By examining tracks and scat samples, they’ll discover which creatures live in their local area, what they eat, and how they move through their environment.

This activity sharpens observation skills and reveals how scientists study elusive wildlife without ever seeing the animals themselves.

Session 2: Food web games

Through interactive games, students will explore the complex feeding relationships that keep ecosystems in balance. They’ll investigate how plants, herbivores, carnivores, and decomposers are interconnected, and what happens when one part of the web is disrupted. This fun, active session helps students grasp big ecological ideas in a memorable way.

Session 3: Invertebrate hunt

Armed with magnifiers and collecting equipment, students will head outdoors to search for the tiny creatures that play huge roles in our environment. They’ll identify and observe a variety of invertebrates, learning about their life cycles, habitats, and importance in keeping ecosystems healthy. This activity fosters curiosity, care, and respect for even the smallest forms of life.

Suggested timetable

Time	Class A	Class B	Class C
9.30am	Session 1	Session 2	Session 3
10.30am	Break 1
11.00am	Session 3	Session 1	Session 2
12.00pm	Break 2
12.30pm	Session 2	Session 3	Session 1
1.30pm	Finish

*NOTE: Gibberagong staff can work within established school times on the day. Please contact the Centre to discuss.

Syllabus outcomes

Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus (2024)

Outcomes

uses information to investigate the solar system and the effects of energy on living, physical and geological systems ST2-SCI-01
ST2-DAT-01 uses and interprets data to describe patterns and relationships

Content

Living things depend on energy and materials to survive

Describe the relationship between habitat, ecosystem and environment
Observe and describe living and non-living things in a habitat
Describe ways in which plants and animals depend on each other for survival
Describe ways in which plants and animals depend on each other for survival

Cost and details


Location	Your school
Cost	2026 DoE $15 per student - GST free 2026 Non-gov school cost $25 per student - GST free, minimum charge $750 per class.
Risk Assessments	A complete risk assessment will be sent upon confirmation.
Preparation	Please provide one learning space/classroom for all participating classes for the duration of the day. Please ensure the space has a smart board.
Adverse weather	On days where the weather may be unsuitable, a Gibberagong staff member will contact the organising teacher to discuss alternative arrangments.
Medical notifications	Notify Gibberagong EEC by completing and returning the medical form before the incursion. This form will be sent out upon confirmation of booking.