Gibberagong Environmental Education Centre

Wonder, Engage, Inspire

Telephone02 9457 8245

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

Birds, Bees, Flowers and Seeds (formerly Plants in Action)

Student taking photo

Science and technology: Living World

Creative Arts

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Overview

During a nature walk through one of Sydney’s most diverse plants communities, students will view, learn about, photograph and draw Australia’s unique plants. Learning will focus on  pollination, plant structure, life cycles of flowering plants and Aboriginal uses of plants.

Students drawing
Mushroom

Inquiry questions

What are some features of Australian plants?

How important are plants to local Aboriginal people?

How are animals interdependent with their environment?

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.

Bobbin Head
West Head

Muogamarra Nature Reserve

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.

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

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

2025 DoE $20 per student - GST free

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

View the sample risk assessment

A complete risk assessment will be sent upon confirmation.
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.

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

Related content

Gibberagong Environmental Education Centre

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We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work. We would like to pay our respects to the Elders, past, present and emerging and acknowledge our Aboriginal Elders and knowledge holders who have helped us to understand the special connection Aboriginal Peoples have with the land.

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