Students explore how Earth’s systems work together by observing natural features, investigating environmental conditions, and mapping living and non-living elements within Centennial Parklands.
Stage 2 Science
Bring science to life as students investigate how Earth’s systems connect to support living things. Set within the landscape of Centennial Parklands, this hands-on excursion engages students in observing, questioning and exploring the relationships between air, land, water and living things.
Students engage in a fieldwork journal, recording and mapping the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere to understand how these systems interact. They undertake a soil, water and light investigation, comparing environmental conditions across sites to explore how energy and resources influence plant growth. They also explore habitats, examining the relationship between habitat, ecosystem and environment, and creating models of habitats for local species.
Grounded in real-world experiences, this program builds scientific inquiry skills while fostering curiosity, systems thinking and a deeper connection to place.
Learning intention
Students will:
- observe and record features of the natural world.
- investigate how soil, water and light influence living things
- collect and interpret data to identify patterns and relationships in habitats, ecosystems and environments.
Activities
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Nature observation and journaling: Students use sketching, labelling and note-taking to record features of the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere.
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Swamp walk – soil, water and light testing: Students conduct simple tests to compare soil types, measure light levels and temperature, and examine water clarity. They collect data to explore how environmental factors support or limit life in wetland habitats.
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Mud map – living and non-living features: Working in small groups, students draw a mud map of their investigation area, identifying natural and human-made features and classifying elements as living, once-living or non-living.
Curriculum links and syllabus outcomes
- ST2 – SCI – 01 – uses information to investigate the solar system and the effects on energy on living, physical and geological systems.
- ST2-PQU-01 poses questions to create fair tests that investigate the effects of energy on living things and physical systems
- ST2-DAT-01 uses and interprets data to describe patterns and relationships
Vocabulary
Environment, system, soil, water, sunlight, habitat, living, non-living, ecosystem, data, test, sample, investigate, atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere.
Make the most of your excursion with our engaging classroom resources designed to support your teaching.
The Education Access Pass Program covers all program and transport costs for schools with an FOEI higher than 125 and community organisations that work with groups in need.
Please contact us directly with the name of the program and your group size and we can help you organise a free program.
This program is funded through the Legacy Fund of the Centennial Parklands Foundation.