Inquiry questions

Scientific inquiry questions

• What are the external features of living things?
• How can we improve a local environment to encourage living things to thrive?

Syllabus outcomes and content

Outcomes

• Observes, questions and collects data to communicate and compare ideas ST1-1WS-S
• Uses materials, tools and equipment to develop solutions for a need or opportunity ST1-2DP-T
• Describes observable features of living things and their environments ST1- 4LW-S

Content

• Living World

Cross curriculum priorities

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Culture
• Sustainability

Program activities

1	Bug camouflage hide and seek Students work in pairs to find a suitable habitat for a giant toy bug
2	Microhabitats and tiny bugs Students conduct tree shakes to collect and identify a variety of bugs
3	Bug analysis and guided insect drawing Students analyse a variety of bugs and complete a guided drawing of a beetle
4	Muruduwin: The Blue Wren Students learn the story of how the Blue Wren (Muruduwin) got his colours
5	Birdwatch walk with binoculars Students search for birds around the site with binoculars.
	Activity social story coming soon!

Recommended timetable

	Sample of a 1 group program For multiple groups/classes, the same activities are run on an alternating schedule
9:45	Welcome to Brewongle Safety briefing
10:00	RECESS
10:30	Bug camouflage hide and seek
11:00	Birdwatch walk with binoculars
11:30	Muruduwin: The Blue Wren
12:00	LUNCH
12:30	Bug analysis and guided insect drawing
1:00	Microhabitats and tiny bugs
1:30	Reflection of activities / Wrap up / Toilets
2:00	Farewell

Worksheet and pre-excursion activities

There is no worksheet for this program

Pre-excursion activities

As a class, read 'Can You Find Me?' by Gordon Winch and Patrick Shirvington or watch an online reading of the story by our teacher Kate Can you find me? - video

Discuss camouflage, where animals look like where they live. Example activities for classrooms to teach camouflage:

Hide the lizard

• Students cut out a paper lizard use the Pattern Universe website to  find a template  which has been printed on white paper.
• Give students a piece of patterned paper, for example coloured stripes or spots. Scrapbooking paper is great for this activity, but try to find simple patterns.
• Ask students to place the cutout lizard on the paper and 'hide it' – colour the lizard in with the same colours and patterns as the paper behind it. Staple the lizard to the paper and display.

Make a bug

• With their newfound knowledge of camouflage, students draw a bug on an A5 piece of paper. The bug could be based on a real or imagined bug, but it should be the type of bug they might find in local bushland. Students must colour their bug in, being mindful of the colours they might have seen in the trees, bush or soil. These bugs should be brought to Brewongle EEC for the excursion.

Teacher information

Location	Brewongle Environmental Education Centre, Sackville North
Transport	Buses are booked by the visiting school. A map to the bus parking will be sent with the schools confirmation email. Please ensure you print the map and give to the bus driver the morning of the excursion.
Program costs	Program costs
Student numbers	Maximum student numbers are 30 students per class - up to 5 classes per day No minimum student numbers (instead possible minimum costs)
Supporting teachers and staff	Minimum requirement is one teacher per attending class
Program start and finish times	Brewongle arrival time is 9:45 am - departure time is 2 pm * discuss prior to your visit if you require alternate times
Medical and welfare notifications	Using the Brewongle medical and welfare form (sent with the confirmation email), inform Brewongle staff of any medical conditions or special requirements prior to the visit This program can be adapted for teachers and students with specific mobility requirements
Adverse weather	Visit our visitor information page to view our weather trigger points for program changes On days where the weather is unsuitable, a Brewongle staff member will contact the organising teacher to discuss alternative arrangements
Booking and cancellation policy requirements	Brewongle booking and cancellation policy Student attendance numbers confirmed 7 days prior to visit Cancellation fees may apply
Inclusive learning support	Visit our inclusive education website for further excursion support materials