Sensibly Sustainable

About this excursion

Students can’t value what they don’t know. This excursion immerses students in the pristine environment of the Nattai National Park providing an authentic context for investigating and understanding the need to sustainably manage natural resources. Students gain insights into sustainable practices of the local Gundungurra people and compare and contrast these practices with their own modern lifestyles. Students examine resource use, waste issues and product lifecycles, before conducting their own experiments in renewable energy generation and use.

Excursion activities

Session 1: Bushwalk and structured discussion
Students are immersed in the beautiful surrounds of Nattai National Park to gain an understanding and appreciation for the natural environment. This is followed by a structured discussion in our unique classroom to determine some of the sustainability issues we are currently facing along with potential solutions and personal impact opportunities.
Lunch
Students have recess before activities and a lunch break between session 1 and session 2.
Session 2: Investigating renewable energy
Students experiment with heat and solar energy by cooking a ‘Smore’ in a solar oven before breaking into small groups to design and build a wind turbine. They conduct fair tests to determine the most efficient blade design in converting wind energy into electrical energy.

Important information

Cost
$8 per student
Learning intentions
  • We are learning to identify opportunities for sustainable resource use.
  • We are learning to plan and conduct a safe and valid investigation.
Key syllabus outcomes and content

Working scientifically Planning investigations

plans safe and valid investigations

Working scientifically Conducting investigations

follows a planned procedure to undertake safe and valid investigations

Working scientifically Problem-solving

identifies problem-solving strategies and proposes solutions

Syllabus Content:

Planning investigations

  • Identify the purpose of an investigation
  • Identify the independent, dependent and controlled variable(s)
  • Identify the type of data that needs to be collected in a range of investigations
  • Outline the method and equipment needed to undertake an investigation
  • Outline steps to manage safety risks before, during and after an investigation

Conducting investigations

  • Employ safe work practices and manage risks using work health and safety (WHS) practices
  • Assemble and use appropriate equipment and resources to perform an investigation
  • Follow the planned procedure, including the measurement and control of variables
  • Record observations and measurements accurately, using correct units for physical quantities

Problem-solving

  • Identify problems and devise possible strategies or solutions
  • Use identified strategies to suggest possible solutions to a familiar problem
  • Use given evaluation criteria to select optimal solutions to problems
See our flyer for Sensibly Sustainable
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About our centre

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