Inquiry questions

Geographical inquiry questions

• How does the environment support the lives of people and other living things?
• How can people use places and environments more sustainably?

Syllabus outcomes and content

Outcomes

• Examines features and characteristics of place and environments GE2-1
• Describes the ways people, places and environments interact GE2-2
• Examines differing perceptions about the management of places and environments GE2-3
• Acquires and communicates geographical information and uses geographical tools for inquiry GE2-4

Content

• Significance of environments
• Perception of environments
• Protection of environments

Cross curriculum priorities

• Sustainability

Literacy & Numeracy Learning Progressions

This program supports student learning in various elements of the Literacy and Numeracy Learning Progressions.

Program activities

1	Food Students investigate the house surrounds and forest to discover if the birds’ food source led to its death. Activities include soil testing and a search for contaminants
2	Water What is lurking in our ponds? Students will dip net for bugs and use scientific equipment to test the quality of the water. Did this water source contribute to the bird’s death?
3	Shelter Students investigate the surrounding bushland to determine whether or not the bird’s habitat contributed to its death. Search and identify feral invaders and conduct a healthy habitat assessment.
	Activity social stories to come!

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
10:20	Water (Ponds)
11:20	Shelter (Lookout & Bushwalk)
12:20	LUNCH
12:50	Food (Outdoor classroom & Backyard)
1:50	Group discussion about how the Tawny died
1:55	Wrap up / Toilets
2:00	Farewell

Worksheet and pre-excursion activities

Tawny tragedy worksheet

Nature detective application

The Tawny Tragedy program includes a nature detective component. Students complete the  nature detective application form  (pre-assessment task) prior to the pre-visit tasks on pages 2-4 of the worksheet.

After attending the excursion and solving a Tawny Tragedy, students complete a  final nature detective task  (post-assessment) either on the excursion day at Brewongle or back at school. Their nature detective certificates will then be sent to the school.

Please read the police report in your worksheet to establish the facts of the case and answer the Tawny tragedy pre-visit questions on your worksheet.

Watch the video below and use the provided links to answer the pre-visit questions  on your worksheet.

After you’ve visited Brewongle and conducted investigations to solve the case, we’d like you to help us save other native animals by completing the Tawny tragedy post visit activities. These are things you can do at school and at home which will really help protect Tawny Frogmouths and other native animals in their habitat.

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 6 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