Inquiry questions

Syllabus outcomes and content

Cross Curriculum Priorities

• Sustainability

Program activities

1	Abiotic components of the ecosystem Students use scientific field testing equipment to assess various abiotic parameters of the local ecosystem.
2	Vegetation transect and habitat assessment Students use our site-specific dichotomous key iBook to identify plant species and graph them along a transect. Students conduct a habitat assessment of the local ecosystem.
3	Nest box camera survey Students use a map and GPS to navigate to a selection of our species-specific nest boxes. They then use innovative remote cameras to view inside nest boxes and record use or evidence of use.
4	Camera traps and human impacts Students view, analyse and record footage from our wildlife camera traps and conduct a human impacts assessment of the bush. If time allows, students can upload data to the Atlas of Living Australia citizen science database.

Recommended timetable

	Sample of a 1 group program For multiple groups/classes, the same activities are run on an alternating schedule
9:30	Welcome to Brewongle Safety briefing
9:45	Abiotic components of the ecosystem
10:45	RECESS
11:00	Nest box camera survey
12:00	Vegetation transect and habitat assessment
1:00	LUNCH
1:30	Reflection of activities / Wrap up / Toilets
2:00	Farewell

Worksheet and pre-excursion activities

Human impacts depth study worksheet

Assessment task worksheet

Pre- and post-excursion lessons are available in the student worksheet (link above).

Your task is:

• to create a specific inquiry question relating to the impact of foxes on the Australian environment.
• predict/hypothesise the outcome of your field study based on your research of fox populations on native fauna
• complete a firsthand investigation as part of a field trip to collect primary and secondary data.
• process and analyse the data to help solve the problem presented by your inquiry question.
• communicate your scientific findings using a medium of your choice.

Pre-excursion tasks

The pre-excursion tasks are found on page 3 of the worksheet. The links below will assist in the completion of these tasks.

Human impacts

• Download a glossary of ecological terms
• Invasive species strategy

Red Fox information

• Pests and weeds – Foxes
• Foxes and tiger quolls
• Fox threat abatement plan 2010
• Fox biology, impact and management
• Management concerns – 1080 poison

The study site

The site is located at Sackville North on a ridge above the Hawkesbury River.  The natural vegetation of the area has been modified by farming practices, school buildings and rural residential properties.

The land was originally inhabited by the Darug Aboriginal nation and was farmed and hunted using traditional methods for 30-50,000 years.  The Sackville – Windsor area was considered suitable for farming and was settled in 1810.  The vegetation was severely modified following settlement.  This was initially restricted to the flood plain immediately adjacent to the river.

Sackville North Public School was located on the site from 1878-1972. Brewongle Field Studies Centre was opened officially in 1979 after the site was used for camping in the interim. It is now called Brewongle Environmental Education Centre and is a facility that hosts other schools on day and camp visits.

The site has been classified as having the vegetation community of Sydney Sandstone Gully Forest and Shale Sandstone Transition Forest with dominant tree species including Grey Gum (Eucalyptus punctata), and Grey Myrtle (Backhousia myrtifolia).

There is a Google Map at the bottom of this page to assist.

Post-excursion activities

You can view your data and other historical Nest Box survey data on the  Hollows as Homes website (map at the bottom of this webpage). This may provide you with an idea of animal distribution.

Recent and historical camera trap footage can be viewed on our  YouTube channel  and flora and fauna observations of Brewongle EEC can be seen on the  Atlas of Living Australia  website. The fauna observations may assist you as evidence of food for the target species and shows animal distribution.

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 3 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