Science Excursion: Is life on the Brink of Extinction?
The Year 7 cohort went their separate ways and explored one of six different habitats. They were challenged to be able to name 10 different living things and identify some of the pressures on the survival and health of the habitat. They were also expected to be responsible for their learning and support others, to be respectful and empathetic to the experts that they were working with. We also wanted them to engage in dialogue, which most students did.
Marine excursion:
Students journeyed on a boat into Port Phillip Bay and learnt about the seals, dolphins, birds and other life forms. They became aware of introduced species and the impact that they are having on the food chains.
Mudflats excursion:
After visiting the Queenscliff Maritime Museum and thoroughly impressing Phil, one of the guides at the museum, with their manners and engagement, the students excitedly jumped on a bus and headed to the mudflats at Swan Bay. They were met by Harry. He spoke to them about the animal life in the area and the need to preserve what is there. Harry passionately spoke about not interfering with the animal and sea creatures that inhabit the area. The students enjoyed handing the small crabs found in the sand-well most anyway. Harry was super impressed with the manner in which the students conducted themselves and asked many questions.
Freshwater excursion:
Students made their way to Ganes reserve, a wet land that is continually fed by stormwater, creating a series of freshwater ponds. The students explored the many different life forms that exist in the freshwater ponds. They identified many different insects and the small organisms; the highlight was seeing a baby dragonfly. They enjoyed getting to touch the many different animals at the Queenscliff Marine and Freshwater Discovery centre and learning about the threats to this vital habitat.
Rockpool excursion:
The students and teachers initially got lost, but then they found their guide who explored the Point Lonsdale rock pools with them. They looked at three different types of seaweed, and ate some of it, tasted a bit like salty cucumber. They looked at the animals living in the rock pools, and the different types of snails. They learnt about the intertidal zone and the dangerous nature of being so close to the opening of the bay. They discovered the petrified trees that are encased in the rocks. Everyone learnt so much and developed a greater sense of the environmental and human impacts on the rockpool habitat.
Moorabool River excursion:
The students planted in the riparian zone, stabilising the riverbanks and providing new habitat. They saw a koala and kangaroo tracks and learnt about the difficulties the Moorabool faces as it makes its way to the sea. In the afternoon they created some art works using the observational art technique. The students represented Clonard with great pride and the volunteers Felicity and Peter from Batesford Fyansford Stonehaven Landcare Group and Kate and Katie, the Nature Reserves Officers from City of Greater Geelong, were delighted with their efforts in planting and enthusiasm for learning.
Anglesea Heath excursion:
Great outing supported by the organisation ANGAIR: a volunteer organisation that supports other agencies with helping maintain indigenous ecosystems of the Anglesea and Aireys Inlet districts. Eradication of noxious weeds is one of their many roles. Following a small informative chat at the ANGAIR office where students looked at preserved specimens of the local flora and fauna, we travelled to a part of the Heath near the old Alcoa power station which has been inundated by this weed which was originally introduced to Australia to stabilise our sand dunes. It was explained with no natural predators and the huge amount of seed produced how anything of this nature can very quickly become invasive and have huge consequences to our ecosystems. The students were eager to pull as many boneseed plants as possible from the area and in conjunction with efforts from other schools, made a great positive contribution to this cause as evidenced by the great pile of pulled plants. In addition, we were witness to the impact of the boneseed on plants of this area which are literally smothered by this weed and with this the knock-on effects on animal habitat and food sources. A great day that was informative, enthusiastic and fun.
Student comments:
‘Thank you staff and teachers for a beautiful fun day, I had heaps of fun exploring the new species!’
‘Thanks so much teachers and staff for making a amazing day for all of us’.
‘Thank you we had a fun day!’
