Gibberagong Environmental Education Centre

Wonder, Engage, Inspire

Telephone02 9457 8245

Emailgibberagon-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au

S2 Ecosystem scientist incursion

Ecosystem scientist incursion

NEW Science and Technology K-6 syllabus

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 our educators, students will observe, investigate, and think like scientists as they deepen their understanding of how ecosystems function.


Inquiry questions

  • How can we use evidence such as tracks, scats, and other signs to identify and learn about the animals living in an environment?

  • What relationships exist between plants, animals, and decomposers in an ecosystem, and why are these connections important?

  • How do invertebrates contribute to the health and balance of ecosystems?


  • 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.

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

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

     

    Location

    Your school

    Cost

    2025 DoE $20 per student - GST free

    2025 Non-gov school cost $25 per student - GST free, minimum charge $750 per class.

    Risk Assessments

    View the sample risk assessment

    A complete risk assessment will be sent upon confirmation.

    Preparation

    Please provide the following school areas:

    - one learning space/classroom for all participating classes for the duration of the day. 

    - an outdoor space (basketball court/oval) for the games

    What to bring

    Backpack, medication, low-waste food, water bottle, sunblock, raincoat, hat, sturdy shoes, mask.

    Students wear reusable name tag and sports uniform.

    Adverse weather

    On days where the weather is unsuitable (see risk assessment), 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.

    Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus (2024)

    Outcomes 

    A student:

    > uses information to investigate the solar system and the effects of energy on living, physical and geological systems ST2-SCI-01

    > uses and interprets data to describe patterns and relationships ST2-DAT-01

    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

    Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2025