EDUC1231 Environmental Science Kade Ellis 32008451 & Katelyn Spitty 20171786

Item 2: Excursion Reflection

Perth Zoo offers a stimulus rich learning opportunity for students at a year four to six level.

Perth Zoo endeavours to protect endangered species and to reconnect people to nature, it aims

to sustain the environment for future generations. This location offers a unique experience for

students to connect with nature and to see the importance of protecting our environment.

Throughout the Zoo facility students can read and interact with animals on the brink of

extinction, animals such as the Sumatran Orangutan, Rhinoceros and Tiger just to name a

few.

The ‘Love Your Local Wildlife’ experience costs approximately fourteen dollars per student

and extends students’ knowledge beyond the classroom. As part of this cost students are

granted admission to the Zoo for the duration of the day. When considering an excursion to

the Zoo, it is required that schools must follow the ratio of 1 supervisor per 10 students (year

4-6). School supervisors receive free admission to the Zoo based upon the supervision ratio.

This can also include parent helpers. Perth Zoo requires schools to notify their staff if a

student with special needs is attending the excursion, as zoo staff can assist in maximising the

benefits and learning experience for the student(s). It is also important that students are

dressed in appropriate school uniform to ensure they can be easily identified. Perth Zoo

encourages adult supervisors to have access to a mobile phone for communication throughout

the Zoo, as some areas of the Zoo may require extra supervision.

Perth Zoo helps students to see the cross-curriculum priority of sustainability in action. The

‘Love Your Local Wildlife’ education experience also delves into both science and

geography curriculum links. Links within the science curriculum include; Living things have

life cycles (ACSSU072) and Living things have structural features and adaptations that help
EDUC1231 Environmental Science Kade Ellis 32008451 & Katelyn Spitty 20171786

them to survive in their environment (ACSSU043). When observing the HASS curriculum

the following links could be identified under the Geography strand; The importance of

environments to animals and people, and different views on how they can be protected

(ACHASSK088) and The natural resources (e.g. water, timber, minerals) provided by the

environment and different views on how they can be used sustainably (ACHASSK090).

Students see how living things have physical adaptations to help them to survive in particular

environments. The students are shown the importance of environments to the survival of

animals and people. Perth Zoo works to promote sustainable practices to protect these

environments and the animals that rely on their existence. Students can explore these

practices by identifying the innovative practices Perth Zoo has adopted to be sustainable.

Perth Zoo facilitates a number of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in

particular life on land (goal fifteen) which involves sustainably managing forests and

reversing land degradation. Classroom teachers can view and explain Perth Zoo’s

sustainability strategy vision with students prior to their visit, so students know what they are

identifying.

During the ‘Love Your Local Wildlife’ experience students are actively involved in the

exploration of restorative processes in order to protect Western Australian native animals

such as the Dibbler. These native animals face major threats that place them on the brink of

extinction. This education experience highlights that all individuals have a responsibility to

help reduce threats to animals and to protect habitats. Students learn through a kinaesthetic

game whereby rules are changed in an attempt to reduce threats to extinct animals and to

protect their habitats. This excursion incorporates sustainability cross curriculum priorities as

it explores the connection of living things, including human life (students) and their reliance

on ecosystems for their wellbeing and survival. Students learn that sustainable patterns of
EDUC1231 Environmental Science Kade Ellis 32008451 & Katelyn Spitty 20171786

living are achieved through the interdependence of healthy social, economic and ecological

systems.

The ‘Love Your Local Wildlife’ experience will last for approximately 50 minutes to an

hour. As mentioned, cost per student will cover all admission to the zoo for the remainder of

the day. Teachers are able to effectively use this time to complete activities that can be

catered to cover a variety of key learning areas. Activities that can be completed at the Zoo

include a work booklet named ‘Love Your Local Wildlife’. This resource is made available to

teacher’s online and explores topics such as ‘Western Australian Animals Under Pressure’

and ‘Healthy Habitats’. Students complete this workbook as they make their way around the

Zoo, the activities reinforce sustainable practices that are vital to the protection of native

wildlife.

We believe the Perth Zoo ‘Love Your Local Wildlife’ excursion offers a unique opportunity

to aquatint students with firsthand information on effective sustainability practices. This

excursion helps students to connect with the environment in which they live in. Perth Zoo

offers a multifaceted learning environment that can be linked to a number of curriculum

areas. The Perth Zoo excursion provides a platform for classroom teachers to accelerate

student learning beyond the classroom.

Word Count: 809 words

EDUC1231 Environmental Science Kade Ellis 32008451 & Katelyn Spitty 20171786

Bibliography

About the Sustainable Development Goals. (n.d). Retrieved September 19, 2019, from United

Nations website: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-

development-goals/

Years 4 to 6. (n.d). Retrieved September 17, 2019, from Perth Zoo website:

https://perthzoo.wa.gov.au/schools/years-4-6

School Curriculum and Standards Authority (2014) Western Australian curriculum:

Humanities and Social Sciences Retrieved from

https://k10outline.scsa.wa.edu.au/home/teaching/curriculum-browser/humanities-and-

social-sciences

School Curriculum and Standards Authority (2014) Western Australian curriculum: Science

Retrieved from https://k10outline.scsa.wa.edu.au/home/teaching/curriculum-

browser/science-v8