In-depth Activity Sessions with Differentiation and real-life

application

Making an Irrigation System

Introduction/Problem Based Scenario:

I want to start my own garden with 3 starter plants, I need a way to water my plants when I cannot
be there. I need a group of designers who can work together to create an irrigation system for me. A
system where I can pour water into one spot, and from there it can water all of my plants
independently.

Materials provided: (per group)

Computer/iPad

20 paddle pop sticks

Glue

Tape

a clear plastic pipe

a skewer

a cup

plants in pots

Instructions:

Within your groups you will have 15 minutes to create your own Irrigation system for the 3 plants
you grew in your groups earlier in the term. You are aiming to have every plant receive water in the
form of drips by the time the timer runs out. Use the materials provided to create your own unique
design and get ready to explain your ideas and what you created to the whole class. Remember! If
you try something and it does not work, try again.

Schedule:
5 mins - Explain activity to students, introduce Bundaberg fruit and vegetable growers expert.

Verbal explanation given to engage all students – including students who have reading difficulties

15 mins - Irrigation activity

The design challenge is an engaging, hands on activity which supports all students to think critically
and creativity (Australian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (ACARA), 2020).

The activity can be completed in a variety of ways and students with learning needs will be supported
by the expert, teacher and teacher aid to achieve and succeed. Visual prompts can be provided of
different simple irrigation designs to assist learners who are struggling to visualise an idea.

As an extension activity for gifted and talented students who complete the challenge earlier is
provided. Students will receive extra materials to expand their current irrigation system or create a
new system using a different plan and overall design. This will extend the design challenge to further
engage and advance high-achieving students.

5 mins - Each group explains their design, what went well and what they struggled with.

Verbal explanations are given to allow for all students to engage in explaining their teams design
and ideas for creating their irrigation system.

5 mins - clean up and watch a video on Irrigation designs (compare students ideas to the videos
ideas) and the expert explains the irrigation system Bundaberg fruit and vegetable growers use for
their crops.

The video provides students who are visual learners with a clear understanding of the challenge and
provides them opportunities to compare their design choices.

The expert provides a clear real-world connection for all students and provides them with
understanding of how irrigation systems work on a larger scale, to assist with farming.
Ecosystem in a Bottle
Introduction/Problem Based Scenario:

Earlier in the term we grew our plants and now they need a place to live. All around the world there
are different ecosystems which are full of plant and animal life. Today, we need to design a tiny
ecosystem for the plants we grew. We need to create an environment which they can survive, grow
and thrive in.

Materials Provided: (per group)

1.5 litre clear plastic bottle

Soil

Gravel

small rocks

plant

insects

Instructions:

You will have a total of 15 minutes to create an Ecosystem in a bottle independently. Use the plant
you grew earlier in the term and design an Ecosystem for it in the bottle. Use the supplies given and
research what type of ecosystem you could create to sustain your plant. Use research, trial and error
to improve your overall ecosystem and be ready to explain your ideas and design to the class.

Schedule:

5 mins - Explain activity to students, introduce expert from Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable growers.

Verbal explanation allows for all students to gain a clear understanding of the design challenge.

Students will be engaged in the activity and learning due to an expert being involved, providing
evidence that the challenge they are completing is based on a real-world scenario.

15 mins - Complete Ecosystem in a bottle activity.

The ecosystem in a bottle activity can be as similar or as complex as each student makes it. Gifted
and talented students can apply their research skills and prior knowledge on ecosystems to the task,
creating more accurate and sustainable ecosystem structures for their plant. Students who may
usually struggle in science, will enjoy the hands-on learning experience of ecosystem in a bottle.
Students with learning difficulties may research and create a simpler yet still effective ecosystem in a
bottle design from images found online and the materials provided.

5 mins - Students explain their ideas and design.

Students verbally explaining their ideas and design are demonstrating that they clearly understood
the challenge and how to effectively complete it. Therefore, they have shown knowledge of
ecosystems and how to create one.

As an extension they may also describe how their ecosystem functions on a larger scale, proving their
own understanding of the real-life application of the task.

5 mins - Students watch part of the Ecosystem in a bottle Youtube clip and the Expert explains the
different ecosystems they work with on a daily basis.

Youtube will provide further visuals and visual understanding for students about ecosystems.

The Bundaberg fruit and vegetable growers expert discussing the ecosystems in which they grow
their crop will provide a real world connection for all students.