Program overview
Nurragingy Reserve is more than just a beautiful natural space—it is a place rich in cultural heritage and ecological significance. Nestled within the reserve are diverse habitats that support a wide variety of plants and animals, each uniquely adapted to thrive in this environment.
At Nurragingy Reserve, you have the opportunity to explore how environmental factors influence the growth, survival, and adaptation of living organisms. This reserve offers a living classroom where science and nature come together.
As part of an exciting hands-on case study, you will engage in fieldwork to investigate the fascinating world of water bugs inhabiting the reserve’s local waterways. By conducting specific tests, you will identify the physical and behavioural adaptations these aquatic insects have developed to survive and flourish in their habitat.
In addition, this study will help uncover the impact of a nearby stormwater outlet on these water bugs’ growth and survival. Understanding this relationship will shed light on how human activities influence natural ecosystems and the delicate balance required to maintain them.
Join us at Nurragingy Reserve to deepen your knowledge of ecological science, contribute to real environmental research, and connect with the incredible living history of this special place.
Inquiry questions
- How do physical conditions affect the survival of living things?
- How do the structural and behavioural features of living things support survival?
Outcomes
- Plant and conducts scientific investigations to answer testable questions, and collects and summarises data to communicate conclusions ST3-1WS-S
- Examines how the environment affects the growth, survival and adaptation of living things ST3-4LW-S
Content
- Identifying, grouping and comparing living things
- Interdependence
- Healthy environments
Cross Curriculum Priorities
- Sustainability
| 1 |
Water quality & dipnetting Students will utilise various tests to assess water quality in the ponds at Nurragingy. They conduct a survey of waterbugs as biological indicators of water quality. |
| 2 |
Soil quality Students conduct various soil quality tests to gain an understanding of the health of soil at Nurragingy. |
| 3 |
Leaf litter bug survey Students catch, identify and count leaf litter bugs. They look at the bugs with a hand lens to consider how specific body parts help the bug thrive in its habitat. |
| 4 |
Animal adaptations Using clay and natural materials students work in small groups (~4) to build an animal that has adaptations for survival in its habitat. Explain the features which help it survive in that habitat. |
| Activity social stories to come! | |
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Sample of a 1 group program For multiple groups/classes, the same activities are run on an alternating schedule |
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| 9:30 |
Welcome to Blacktown Showground Safety briefing |
| 9:45 | Water quality & dipnetting |
| 10:35 | RECESS |
| 10:50 | Soil quality |
| 11:35 | Leaf litter bug survey |
| 12:20 | Animal adaptations |
| 1:05 | Reflection of activities / Wrap up |
| 1:20 | LUNCH |
| 2:00 | School departs |
| Location | Nurragingy Reserve, Doonside NSW |
| 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 9:30 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 |
Booking enquiries
Get in touch to ask a question, plan a visit or find out more about what we offer