Wednesday, 9 July 2014

Hands on Habitats!

 
Hands on Habitats is an experience that the La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary has offered for a few years. Recently we have been re-vamping this experience (amongst others) to make it more 'hands-on' and to align with the new Victorian Government curriculum (AusVELS).
 
Hands on Habitats
 
Overview of experience
‘Hands on Habitats’ is the ideal introduction to (or reinforcement of) the needs of animals, and interactions with their environment. Your students will investigate three habitats in an Australian River Red Gum Woodland – Terrestrial (ground), Arboreal (trees and hollows) and Aquatic (wetland); gaining insight into the native animals that live here, how these environments function and what is required to create habitats. Optional activities can direct habitat construction back at school.
 
Our expert presenters will take full advantage of anything your class might bump into. This could include a mob of kangaroos, an orb weaver spinning an intricate web, a swamp hen with gangly feet, or a flock of ducks landing on the water.
 
Your educational experience at the La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary is designed to stimulate the imagination and curiosity of your students and provide them with ways to safely explore, learn about, and look after their environment.
 
Standard activities
A standard experience runs for 2 hours and includes 4 activities. Each class will accompany the same presenter as they rotate through the activities.
 
 
 
AusVELS Levels F-2:
  1. ‘Introduction to Habitats’
    • A classroom based activity that introduces students to the habitats of the LTWS and the animals that live here
    • Students construct a food chain/web that links terrestrial, aquatic and arboreal habitats
  2. Dip-netting
    • Using dip nets to locate aquatic invertebrates from a wetland
    • Note the habitat and interactions between organisms 
  3. Arboreal Habitats
    • Using teamwork students take on the challenge of assembling nest boxes
    • Students experience what it’s like to build a home as a Sugar Glider
  4. Rock ‘n Roll
    • Students roll over logs and rock in the bush and catch the cratures that live underneath
    • Note the importance of shelter (protection from predators) in habitats
AusVELS Levels 3-4:
  1. ‘Introduction to Habitats’ (see above) OR ‘Whose Habitat that that?’ (see below)
  2. Dip-netting (see above)
  3. Arboreal Habitats (see above)
  4. Woodland Walk
    • Students explore arboreal, terrestrial and aquatic habitats
    • On a walk through the LTWS, students investigate which animals call tree hollows their home
    • Students identify the habitat needs of lizards and embark on a search for their perfect home
 
AusVELS Levels 5-6:
  1. ‘Whose Habitat is that?’
    • Students use an information booklet to identify the needs of native animals
    • Using clues from the booklet they search for the perfect habitat for these animals
  2. Dip-netting (see above)
  3. Arboreal Habitats
    • Students investigate the different types of nest boxes utilised in the LTWS
    • Using nest box cameras, students gain an intimate view into the lives of some arboreal animals
  4. Woodland Walk (see above)




Extended experience / Options 
‘Standard’ experiences can be extended by adding extra activities, some suggestions have been detailed below. If your topic focus does not suit the standard activities, we can swap them. Activities and experiences can be tailored to suit your needs – contact LTWSEducation@latrobe.edu.au for more information.
 
  • Extended Introduction to Habitats
    • Short presentations allow students to engage with minibeasts (invertebrates) and lizard lounges
    • An intimate look into the lives of some of Australia’s native animals through the LTWS’s nest box camera feeds
  • Frog Bog
    • Students are introduced to the habitat requirements of frogsand the steps involved in creating a man-made wetland
    • Students get to act out the steps using a model wetland (Please note: students do not get to create an actual wetland – see consultancies and incursions below)
  • Lizard Lounge
    • Students are introduced to the habitat requirements of lizards and the steps involved in constructing a ‘lizard lounge’
    • Students get to act out the steps constructing their own lizard lounge in LTWS
  • Close Encounters
    • Using a video camera or one of our microscopes, students get ‘up-close and personal’ with minibeasts. Can be tailored to suit students at lower F-2 or higher 3-6 AusVELS levels
  • Bee / Ant / Butterfly game
    • A fun, team-building activity that focuses on the habitats of ants, bees or butterflies and their interaction with plants / flowers
  • Nest Box construction
    • For higher AusVELS levels with adequate adult supervision (1 adult per 5 students) only. In teams, students follow instructions and use tools to construct their own nest box. Allow more time for this activity. Additional costs may apply
  • My Footprint
    • Higher AusVELS level students are introduced to the concept of an ecological footprint and, as a class, calculate their own footprint. They discuss ways in which they can become more sustainable and reduce their impact on the environment
  • Pull-apart-a-Poa
    • Poa (native grass tussocks) provide habitat for many small animals. Students investigate this habitat by pulling apart tussocks and collecting any creatures they find. Best when combined with Potting-up-a-Poa
  • Potting-up-a-Poa
    • Poa can reproduce via division. Poa pulled apart can be potted and grown into indepedant tussocks. Students follow instructions to pot up their own Poa, which can be taken home or to school to be planted.
Habitat Creation consultancies and incursions are also available.
 

 
Pre- and Post-trip resources
 
La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary Resources
 
External Resources
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