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This is an incursion that happens in 2 half days 1-2 weeks apart. Students learn about micro-organisms and their role in the ecosystem. They swab designated parts of the school following scientific processes. On the return visit students examine what the swabs have grown on petri dishes under microscopes, documents and analyse the results.
Students learn about the origins, properties of, and functions of the soil beneath our feet. They learn methods of classifying soil types and take part in a scientific investigation focusing on erosion. They then create a soil crayon and use this and soil watercolours to create art.
The emphasis of this day is on the 1870s-way of life of the Cedar Getters and their families; how this changed the Bundjalung Nation's lives and the impact it had on Country. Students will be taken back to a bygone era to take part in activities like colonial games, butter-making, role play, old schoolhouse etc.
Colonial games can be replaced by an archaeological dig where students examine artefacts, take part in an actual dig and draw conclusions of bygone ways of life through analysis of finds.
Using as stimulus the book Cat on the Island (Author - Gary Drew; Illustrator - Gillian Warden) students explore human impact on the small NZ island, Stephens Island. Students discuss environmental literacy and the story from a conservation point of view. Students then decide on which key points of the book to dramatise, create a script based on the conservation messages of the book, create props, and present/film the play.
Students learn about the Squirrel Gliders - their habitats; diet; predators; prey; and how we can, and why we should be, guardians to all native animals. Students take part in a Biodiversity Audit of their school grounds, using camera on a stick to investigate potential hollows, and learn about nest boxes. Students then develop a student led action plan based on the learning that has taken place.
Students investigate the impact of climate change and do activities with our energy trailer. Students then take part in a food kms activity - creating their own environmentally responsible pizza and tour the bush tucker garden, and the centre's veggie garden. The day can end with either a carbon footprint activity or a designing a sustainable house.
Students spend the day exploring the properties of water, its importance to all living creatures, and how to care for our waterways. Students investigate water quality through scientific processes at the local dam, take part in student-led authentic investigations with sophisticated equipment in the DEEC Water Lab and create a filter to solve a water pollution problem.
Students become a ranger for a day and learn about managing one our World Heritage National Parks - Night Cap National Park. Students learn about how the area was formed, investigate plants and animals using field guides and binoculars, and enjoy a bush walk to discover the Parks' natural beauties, including the magnificent Minyon (Waterfall).
Students learn about local Bundjalung culture through culturally appropriate use of yarning circles, artefacts, ochre painting, and bush tucker plant walk. The day culminates in creating and eating a meal using bush tucker ingredients.
Students take part in an Environmental workshop - outlining the causes and effects of greenhouse gases on our Earth and the basis of Climate Change. Energy, Water, Biodiversity and Waste audits are conducted within the school grounds and then students create a student led School Environmental Management Plan (SEMP) specific to the school's identified need for actions.
DEEC staff will come to your school and perform this incursion for up to 30 students FREE of charge.
Students investigate what humans need to survive, how to take care of themselves in the bush etc. Students create an iPad movie on bush survival. In teams students use a map to navigate their way across country. Emphasis on Bundjulung use of plants for medicine, food and tools; and building teamwork and leadership skills.
(This day is often used as part of a 2 - 3 day camp)
Students take part in maths based activities in nature. Students learn about symmetry in nature - how much carbon can a tree store - teach fractions with natural objects - work out how tall a tree is using clinometers.
This program explores our connection to nature through mindfulness with guided activities that connect us to nature and regenerate our minds. Student will go on a mindfulness journey in the forest, learn the processes of nature journaling, techniques for wellbeing, and how to be as calm, grounded and resilient as trees.
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