Science or Geography

This excursion can be adapted to NSW Stage 3, 4, 5 or 6 Science or Geography Syllabus Outcomes, and can take the form of a half day or full-day program. Students will collect physical (abiotic) data including temperature, pH, electrical conductivity and turbidity from several ponds located in the Parklands and analyse the differences found based on pond location. Water quality will also be tested by collecting aquatic macro-invertebrates through the use of dip-nets in one or more of the ponds. Students will also undertake a pond-walk to learn about how pond structure can aid in water quality control.

Geography

The focus of this excursion is for students to participate in the hands on use of different abiotic measuring equipment. Results will be examined, human impacts will be studied and the effectiveness of Total Catchment Management will be evaluated. The filtration process of a constructed wetland will also be compared to that of the Botany Aquifer.

Science

Students will use a range of practical data collection technologies and strategies. They will examine and consider the biodiversity and ecology of living things, the impact of human activities on the environment, the impact of applications of science on the environment and impacts on the biosphere of waste from resource use. Students will undertake first hand investigations of soil, water, air, food chains, factors affecting the survival of organisms and features of a constructed wetland.

Geography

Students will asses the health of a wetland ecosystem with hands on measuring of abiotic features. Human impacts are also explored and several real life scenarios are presented to students to assess and recommend solutions. Scenarios focus on democratic participation, individual, group and government responsibilities, critical questioning, management of an urban parkland and the influences of stakeholders.

Science or Geography

This excursion can be adapted to NSW Stage 3, 4, 5 or 6 Science or Geography Syllabus Outcomes, and can take the form of a half day or full-day program. Students will collect physical (abiotic) data including temperature, pH, electrical conductivity and turbidity from several ponds located in the Parklands and analyse the differences found based on pond location. Water quality will also be tested by collecting aquatic macro-invertebrates through the use of dip-nets in one or more of the ponds. Students will also undertake a pond-walk to learn about how pond structure can aid in water quality control.

Science

This excursion facilitates student observations of the environment with reference to biodiversity, adaptations, food webs, human impacts and conservation. Students will examine the science behind the design of a constructed wetland. They will study biotic and abiotic features and gather first -hand data. Students will also have the opportunity to compare the water filtration of a man made wetland to that of the Botany Aquifer.

Chemistry

Under the guidance of Centennial Parklands Education Rangers, students will perform tests on water from four various ponds within the Parklands. These tests will be done at each pond site using hand held data loggers and probes, so that comparisons of storm water fed ponds with a Botany Aquifer fed pond will be possible. Tests performed include pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, water hardness, turbidity as well as testing for iron, chlorine, nitrate and phosphate. Factors leading to eutrophication and algal blooms in waterways, as well as the monitoring process, will be discussed. Based on test findings, and an analysis of the Centennial Parklands ponds tested will then be undertaken. Possible sources of contamination in this catchment and the chemical tests available to determine levels and types of contaminants will be explored. Once back at school, students will be able to further analyse their data and compare it with acceptable Australian drinking water standards.

Geography

Ecosystems at Risk investigates the influence the Botany Aquifer has on the Parklands’ wetland areas and the Botany Wetlands. Students will study and compare a naturally occurring spring water and constructed wetlands through the use of quadrats and transects, aerial photo analysis and measuring of abiotic sampling activities.

Science or Geography

This excursion can be adapted to NSW Stage 3, 4, 5 or 6 Science or Geography Syllabus Outcomes, and can take the form of a half day or full-day program. Students will collect physical (abiotic) data including temperature, pH, electrical conductivity and turbidity from several ponds located in the Parklands and analyse the differences found based on pond location. Water quality will also be tested by collecting aquatic macro-invertebrates through the use of dip-nets in one or more of the ponds. Students will also undertake a pond-walk to learn about how pond structure can aid in water quality control.

Biology

Local ecosystem is a full day excursion. Students engage in an in-depth study of a Centennial Park wetland ecosystem. Students will use a range of equipment and techniques to identify and examine abiotic characteristics, distribution and abundance, predator and prey populations, allelopathy, parasitism, mutualism and commensalism, trophic interactions, plant and animal adaptations and human impacts.

Biology

In this half day excursion, students participate in a walk through Centennial Parklands with Rangers to gather first-hand information of evidence of plant pathogens and insect pests. The role of quarantine in preventing the spread of disease in plants and animals in Australia is also discussed.

Why not extend your “Search for Better Health” half day excursion to a full day excursion? Let us arrange a visit for your class to the Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre. Here we will discover how the outbreak of Equine Influenza was managed in 2007 and the role that quarantine played in preventing the further spread of this disease.

Biology

Join a Ranger on a Spotlight Prowl with your class starting at dusk. This walk begins as the Grey Headed Flying Foxes (Fruit Bats) fly over Centennial Parklands on their way to feed in the Parks many trees. It will focus on micro-bats and macro-bats. Learn how they communicate with each other, how they make sound and how they detect sound.