Secondary Science programs
Brewongle Environmental Education Centre provides engaging, hands-on Science learning experiences for secondary students in Stages 4 and 5 (Years 7 to 10). Located on Dharug Country at Sackville North in North West Sydney, our programs provide students with authentic opportunities to investigate scientific concepts through practical, inquiry-based and place-based learning.
Using Brewongle’s diverse natural environment, including bushland and Dyarubbin – the Hawkesbury River, students investigate living systems, ecosystems, biodiversity, forces, environmental change and interactions between living and non-living components of the environment. Students develop scientific knowledge and skills through observation, fieldwork, ecological sampling, data collection, analysis and problem-solving in real-world environments.
Programs are delivered by NSW Department of Education teachers and designed to support the NSW Science 7–10 Syllabus (2023), providing opportunities for students to plan and conduct investigations, collect and analyse primary data, evaluate evidence and communicate scientific understanding. Authentic fieldwork allows students to apply classroom learning while developing critical thinking, problem-solving and a deeper understanding of science and its role in understanding and caring for environments.
Aboriginal perspectives and connection to Country are embedded across relevant programs, providing opportunities for students to explore the relationships between Aboriginal knowledges, scientific understanding and the natural environment. Where programs include Aboriginal cultural learning, we aim to have an Aboriginal Cultural Educator or Aboriginal Education Teacher present to facilitate and support learning. Where a cultural educator is not available, our experienced Brewongle teachers deliver the program using their cultural education knowledge and training, with ongoing support from cultural knowledge holders.
Excursions
Forces - First scientists - Forces in action
This hands-on excursion explores forces, energy and simple machines through Aboriginal technologies and knowledge, highlighting the innovation and engineering of Australia’s oldest continuing culture.
Stage 4 (Year 7 and 8) program
Living systems - Ecosystems in action
Join us for an engaging bush excursion as students investigate whether the local environment has a healthy ecosystem through hands-on activities exploring the interconnected components of an ecosystem.
Stage 4 (Year 7 and 8) program
Cells and classification - Australian life sorted
Students will explore Australia’s biodiversity through hands-on investigations of aquatic macroinvertebrates, animal adaptations, and plant identification using a dichotomous key
Stage 4 (Year 7 and 8) program
Environmental sustainability - Good fire, bad fire
Students explore how Aboriginal cool burning practices sustainably manage Country, promote biodiversity and reduce the risk of destructive bushfires.
Stage 5 (Year 9 and 10) program
Science HPGE enrichment
HPGE domains: Creative, physical, intellectual and social-emotional
This day excursion engages students in authentic, inquiry-based challenges that foster critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, and a deeper understanding of the natural world.
Stage 4 and Stage 5 (Year 7 to 10) program
Overnight camp
Science HPGE enrichment
HPGE domains: Creative, physical, intellectual and social-emotional
This overnight camp program engages students in authentic, inquiry-based challenges that foster critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, and a deeper understanding of the natural world.
Secondary school students in Stage 4 and Stage 5 (Year 7 to 10) program