Hosted by expert educators, students will develop their understanding of living and nonliving things and the positive and not-so positive impacts of human interactions on an ecosystem through hands-on activities. Our educators will guide students through problem solving and action planning to create change within their school community and explore solutions to increase biodiversity at school or home.

Through a variety of hands-on activities your students will:

Years F – 2

• learn about our unique Australian wildlife and their connection to their habitat and ecosystem
• explore what an animal needs in its environment to survive
• consider how humans can care for local ecosystems

Years 3 – 10

• learn about and identify elements of a healthy ecosystem for a variety of wildlife
• explore scientific methods to measure and analyse habitat
• consider how humans can care for local ecosystems and wildlife
• explore connections between Indigenous Australians and the native Australian landscape (Years 7-10 only)
• analyse how different land management practices over time have used to protect or degrade ecosystems (Years 7-10 only)

You’ll receive a school teacher guide, including instructions for optional activities to do before and after your excursion at CERES to get your students thinking, discussing and actively contributing to a world that is environmentally sustainable for all living creatures.

Years F – 2

• Understand the meaning and can explain Biodiversity
• Understand the important elements of healthy ecosystems.
• Identify a variety of plant and animal species and discuss their key habitat needs.
• Be able to use critical thinking skills to assess a habitat for health.
• Link human interactions to habitat health
• Discuss the role of community in working to maintain resilient ecosystems
• Understand important future steps to maintain habitat and ecosystems in their own area

Years 3 – 10

• Understand the meaning and can explain Biodiversity
• Understand the important elements of a healthy habitat
• Be able to identify a variety of different habitats for different wildlife
• Use scientific methods to measure and analyse the potential of an ecosystem to support particular wildlife
• Critically analyse their observations to assess a habitat for health
• Link human interactions to ecosystem health
• Discuss the role of community in working to maintain resilient ecosystems
• Understand important future steps to maintain ecosystem health in their own area

This program links to curriculum areas of:
Science, Design & Technology, Geography, English, Civics & Citizenship, History, Intercultural Capabilities, Maths

Availability
Monday -Friday during term time
For weekend and school holiday bookings please contact

Full Day: 10am – 2pm ( 3 activities)
Welcome and introductions –20 mins
Session with CERES educator – 60 mins
Break – 20 mins
Session with CERES educator – 50 mins
Break – 30 mins
Session with CERES educator – 60 mins
Explore CERES – Make sure you leave some time to explore the many spaces of our beautiful park, including our new Terra Wonder PlaySpace.

Half day: 10am – 12.30pm (2 activities)
Welcome and introductions – 20 mins
Session with CERES educator – 60 mins
Break – 15 mins
Session with CERES educator – 60 mins

Use the activities in the Teaching Guide below to spark students’ curiosity before their visit and add value to your experience whilst at CERES. It’s also designed to deepen students’ learning back at school.

Foundation to Year 2 Teaching Guide
Years 3 to 6 Teaching Guide
Years 7 to 10 Teaching Guide
Years 11 to 12 Teaching Guide * coming soon

Watch the following video to understand what CERES is all about and to get you and your students excited about your visit!