Inquiry questions
What are some features of Australian plants?
How important are plants to local Aboriginal people?
How are animals interdependent with their environment?
Learning Activities
Plant photography
Set in a picturesque setting abounding with stunning native plants, students will learn the basics of plant photography. Concepts such as the rule of thirds, macro photography, camera angles, framing a shot and light will be explored. Students will then use iPads (supplied by your school or Gibberagong) to capture and edit stunning photographs. A digital copy of the photographs will then be returned to the school.
Botanical drawings
Students will sit in a special nature spot to study the form of native plants. Using watercolours (provided by Gibberagong), the students will draw and paint their chosen plant. This immersion experience provides each student with the opportunity to study the detail and beauty of native plants in a natural setting. Artworks will be provided to the teacher to be taken back to school.
Multi-sensory walk
Students will explore and learn about the myriad of plants species within the National Park. Plant cycles, parts of plants, pollination and interactions to environmental factors such as drought and fire will be discussed.
Aboriginal bush resource walk
Aboriginal Peoples have an intimate knowledge of native plants for food, medicine, shelter etc. Muogamarra Nature Reserve and Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park have an amazing array of unique plants that have many uses. Students will identify, photograph and describe some of these plants in their natural setting.
Excursion Locations
This program is offered at the following locations. Click on an image to find out more.
*Note: Excursions at Muogamarra operate in Terms 2 and 3 only.
Sample Timetable
NOTE: Variations to timetable based on specific location, group size and weather
| Time |
Class A |
Class B |
Class C |
Class D |
| 10.00am |
Acknowledgement of Country, Welcome, Overview of the day |
| 10.10am |
Morning Tea |
| 10.30am |
Plant photography |
Plant photography |
Bush resource and multi-sensory walk
|
Botanical drawing
|
| 11.30am |
Botanical drawing
|
Bush resource and multi-sensory walk
|
Botanical drawing |
Bush resource and multi-sensory walk |
| 12.30pm |
Lunch |
| 1.00pm |
Bush resource and multi-sensory walk |
Botanical drawing |
Plant photography |
Plant photography |
| 2.00pm |
Conclusion and depart |
Teacher Information
Download the program flyer
| Excursion locations |
Bobbin Head
Muogamarra Nature Reserve
West Head
|
| Bus access map |
Map for access to venue will be sent with the confirmation
Please ensure you print a copy and provide to the bus driver on the morning of the excursion.
|
| Cost |
2023 DoE $15 per student - GST free
2023 Non-gov school cost $25 per student - GST free, minimum charge $575 per class.
NOTE: National Parks entry is $1.10 per student in addition
|
| Class numbers and size |
Up to 4 classes
Max. 30 students per class
|
| Risk Assessments |
Bobbin Head
Muogamarra Nature Reserve
West Head
COVID
|
| Social Stories |
Bobbin Head - coming soon
Muogamarra Nature Reserve
West Head
|
Supporting Resources
|
Student activities |
| What to bring |
Backpack, medication, low-waste food, water bottle, sunblock, raincoat, hat, sturdy shoes, mask.
Students wear 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 excursion. This form will be sent out upon confirmation of booking. |
Syllabus outcomes and content
Science and technology K-6 Syllabus
Outcomes
A student:
> compares features and characteristics of living and non-living things ST2-4LW
Content
Classification of living things
Students:
- identify that science involves making predictions and describing patterns and relationships (ACSHE050, ACSHE061)
Life cycles of living things
Students:
- identify that living things have lifecycles (ACSSU072)
Survival of living things
Students:
- describe how living things depend on each other and the environment to survive, for example: (ACSSU073)
- birds and flowers
Creative Arts K-6 Syllabus (2006)
Outcomes
A student:
- VAS2.1 represents the qualities of experiences and things that are interesting or beautiful by choosing among aspects of subject matter
- focuses on details of subject matter and areas of beauty, interest, awe, wonder and delight
- VAS2.2 uses the forms to suggest the qualities of subject matter
- experiments with techniques in… photography… to create particular effects to suggest such things as close-ups, middle distance…
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, 2017
Creative Arts K-6 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2006
