Dorroughby Environmental Education Centre

Providing the best environmental experience for all

Telephone02 6689 5286

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

Stage 3

Marvellous Microbes

Student studying an agar plate under a microscope

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.

Syllabus outcomes align with current NSW curriculum - K-6 Science/Technology; K-6 HSIE..

 Outcomes for early adaptors of the new K-6 Science/Technology and K-6 HSIE catered for.  

Cross curriculum subjects of Sustainable Education and Aboriginal Education are also a focus on the day.

 

Soil Rocks

Student painting with soil watercolour

At Dorrough EEC or an Incursion

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 create a soil crayon and use this and soil watercolours to create art.

Syllabus outcomes align with current NSW curriculum - K-6 Science/Technology; K-6 HSIE; K-6 Creative Arts.

Outcomes for early adaptors of the new K-6 Science/Technology and K-6 HSIE catered for.  

Cross curriculum subjects of Sustainable Education and Aboriginal Education are also a focus on the day.

Time and Change

Students in historical costume face a blackboard and a teacher with a cane

At Dorroughby EEC

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 historical ways of life through analysis of finds.

Syllabus outcomes align with current NSW curriculum - K-6 Science/Technology; K-6 HSIE.

Outcomes for early adaptors of the new K-6 Science/Technology and K-6 HSIE catered for.  

Cross curriculum subjects of Sustainable Education and Aboriginal Education are also a focus on the day.

Cat on the Island

Cat on the Island book cover

Incursion or at Dorroughby EEC.

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.

Syllabus outcomes align with current NSW curriculum - K-6 Science/Technology; K-6 HSIE; K-6 Creative Arts.

 Outcomes for early adaptors of the new K-6 Science/Technology and K-6 HSIE catered for.  

Cross curriculum subjects of Sustainable Education and Aboriginal Education are also a focus on the day.

Guardians of the Squirrel Glider

Squirrel Glider Picture

Incursion

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.

Syllabus outcomes align with current NSW curriculum - K-6 Science/Technology; K-6 HSIE.

 Outcomes for early adaptors of the new K-6 Science/Technology and K-6 HSIE catered for.  

Cross curriculum subjects of Sustainable Education and Aboriginal Education are also a focus on the day.

Sustainable Living

Symbol of Earth and Recycle arrows

At Dorroughby EEC or an Incursion (1-2 days)

Students investigate the impact of climate change and conduct audits.  They can they participate in activities with our energy trailer and 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.

Syllabus outcomes align with current NSW curriculum - K-6 Science/Technology; K-6 HSIE; K-6 Creative Arts.

Outcomes for early adaptors of the new K-6 Science/Technology and K-6 HSIE catered for. 

Cross curriculum subjects of Sustainable Education and Aboriginal Education are also a focus on the day.

Let's Investigate H20

Two scientists in a lab

At Dorroughby EEC (water lab)

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.

Syllabus outcomes align with current NSW curriculum - K-6 Science/Technology; K-6 HSIE.

 Outcomes for early adaptors of the new K-6 Science/Technology and K-6 HSIE catered for.  

Cross curriculum subjects of Sustainable Education and Aboriginal Education are also a focus on the day.

National Parks - Waterfalls and Forests

Drone picture looking down on Minyon

At Minyon - Night Cap National Park

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).

Syllabus outcomes align with current NSW curriculum - K-6 Science/Technology; K-6 HSIE.

 Outcomes for early adaptors of the new K-6 Science/Technology and K-6 HSIE catered for.  

Cross curriculum subjects of Sustainable Education and Aboriginal Education are also a focus on the day.

Our Ancient Land

Students sitting in a yarning circle

At Dorroughby EEC - small groups only

Students learn about local Bundjalung culture through culturally appropriate use of yarning circles, artefacts, bush tucker plant walk. The day culminates in creating and eating a meal using bush tucker ingredients.

Syllabus outcomes align with current NSW curriculum - K-6 Science/Technology; K-6 HSIE.

Outcomes for early adaptors of the new K-6 Science/Technology and K-6 HSIE catered for.  

Cross curriculum subjects of Sustainable Education and Aboriginal Education are also a focus on the day.

School Environmental Workshop

Picture of the Earth

Incursion

Students take part in a stand alone 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 can create of a School Environmental Management Plan specific to the school's identified need for action, make a carbon reduction pledge, or design a sustainable house.

DEEC  staff  will come to your school and perform this incursion for up to 30 students FREE  of  charge.

Syllabus outcomes align with current NSW curriculum - K-6 Science/Technology; K-6 HSIE; K-6 Creative Arts.

 Outcomes for early adaptors of the new K-6 Science/Technology and K-6 HSIE catered for.  

Cross curriculum subjects of Sustainable Education and Aboriginal Education are also a focus on the day.

Kids verses Wild Trek

Table

At Rocky Creek Dam - can be used in a DEEC camp itinerary

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 Bundjalung 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)

Syllabus outcomes align with current NSW curriculum - K-6 Science/Technology; K-6 HSIE; K-6 Creative Arts.

 Outcomes for early adaptors of the new K-6 Science/Technology and K-6 HSIE catered for.  

Maths in Nature

Painted sticks

Incursion or Dorroughby EEC

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.

Syllabus outcomes align with current NSW curriculum - K-6 Mathematics.

Cross curriculum subjects of Sustainable Education and Aboriginal Education are also a focus on the day.

Mindfulness & Wellbeing in Nature

Students laying in a circle on rugs, outside

Incursion; or at  Dorroughby EEC; or  offsite e.g. Rocky Creek Dam.

This program explores our connection to nature through mindfulness with guided activities that connect us to nature and regenerate our minds. Students will go on a mindfulness journey in the forest, learn the processes of nature journaling, techniques for well being, and how to be as calm, grounded and resilient as trees.  Drumming for wellbeing can be included.

Syllabus outcomes align with current NSW curriculum - K-6 Science/Technology; K-6 HSIE; K-6 Creative Arts.

Outcomes for early adaptors of the new K-6 Science/Technology and K-6 HSIE catered for.  

Cross curriculum subjects of Sustainable Education and Aboriginal Education are also a focus on the day.

Buzzy Bees

Logs with bees burnt into them

Incursion or at Dorroughby EEC

Get busy with bees, with a focus on native Australian bees. Investigate bee activity and habitat outside; learn about the fabulous diversity of bees, their biology and connections with humans; look at bee products and create a pollinator patch or bee hotel.

Syllabus outcomes align with current NSW curriculum - K-6 Science/Technology; K-6 HSIE; K-6 Creative Arts.

Outcomes for early adaptors of the new K-6 Science/Technology and K-6 HSIE catered for.  

Cross curriculum subjects of Sustainable Education and Aboriginal Education are also a focus on the day.

Give Trees A Chance

Ooray Fruit in Pocket Forest

Dorroughby EEC or incursion

Students learn about forest dynamics - measure carbon sequestration - beat a leaf- learn about endangered plants and the Big scrub - propagate a Richmond Birdwing Butterly vine from a cutting.  Nature journalling or botanical illustrations optional.

Syllabus outcomes align with current NSW curriculum - K-6 Science/Technology; K-6 HSIE; K-6 Maths

Outcomes for early adaptors of the new K-6 Science/Technology and K-6 HSIE catered for.

Cross curriculum subjects of Sustainable Education and Aboriginal Education are also a focus on the day.

Coastal Studies

Child exploring rockpools

Offsite at Flat Rock, Ballina

Students visit Flat Rock in Ballina to investigate the tides and examine the rock platforms. Students learn about our amazing migratory birds and use binoculars to identify species. We discuss actions we can take to be marine custodians and conduct a marine debris clean up.

Syllabus outcomes align with current NSW curriculum - K-6 Science/Technology; K-6 HSIE; K-6 Creative Arts.

Outcomes for early adaptors of the new K-6 Science/Technology and K-6 HSIE catered for.  

Cross curriculum subjects of Sustainable Education and Aboriginal Education are also a focus on the day.