Living things and life cycles excursion

Program overview

The Living things and life cycles excursion is a Stage 1 Science and Technology program enabling students to observe and collect data on living things, their habitats and their life cycles!

Students will spend the day being ecologists as they explore the local habitats of our parkland, biodiversity gardens and our large frog pond. A walk of discovery will provide opportunities for students to collect data about the variety of living things in a local habitat. They will use binoculars, magnifiers, invertebrate collection equipment, identification cards and tally systems to collect and represent their data. They will explore the world of plants through weed art, then get busy making native seed balls that will one day burst into life! In our Biodiversity Lab, students examine animal life cycles up close, before heading outside to dip net in our pond in search of tadpoles, larvae and other pond creatures in different stages of life.

Learning intention

We are learning about living things and how they change over time.
We are learning how to collect and record data.

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Program information

Student activities

Student activities are differentiated, inclusive and may vary depending on the conditions.

Parkland explorers

Students use simple equipment and recording scaffolds to observe and record living things in different life stages.

Plant lab

We use the colourful weeds that grow along the shores of the Georges River to collect and represent data on plant life cycles. Students then use terracotta clay to make seed balls that will one day burst into life. Please bring tote trays or carry seeds balls back to school.

Biodiversity lab

Students explore the wonders of our biodiversity lab, full of taxidermy species and home to our beloved native animals.

Frog pond dip netting

Students use small nets to sweep our frog pond in search of tadpoles and other aquatic animals. Identification charts are used to identify the stage of life for our underwater animals.

All activities are lead by experienced teachers, are age-appropriate and designed to support participation and enjoyment for Early stage 1 (kindergarten) students.

Suggested timetable

Time	Classes 1 and 2	Classes 3 and 4
9.30am	Arrival - introduction, recess and toilets
10.00am - 11.30am	Living things in a local habitat	Investigating plant and animal lifecycles
11.30am - 12.00pm	Lunch and toilets
12.00am - 1.30pm	Investigating plant and animal lifecycles	Living things in a local habitat
1.30 - 2.00pm	Snack, conclude and depart

Syllabus outcomes and content

Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus (2024)

Focus area outcomes

Investigations of changes provide knowledge and understanding

ST1-SCI-01 measures and describes changes in living things, materials, movement, Earth and the sky

ST1-PQU-01 poses questions based on observations and information to investigate cause and effect

ST1-DAT-01 collects, represents and uses data to identify patterns and relationships

Content group

Living things change over time

Recognise that data can be collected through observation, testing and research, and that it can be represented as descriptions, diagrams, graphs, images and tables

Collect data about the variety of living things in a local habitat, group them and justify the groupings
Describe the changes in an animal as it goes through its life cycle using data and scientific models
Describe how Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples use Knowledges of the life cycles of livings things

Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2024

Teacher information


Cost 2026	NSW Department of Education schools $22 per student Non-government schools $28 per student Student numbers to be confirmed 5 working days prior to the excursion.
Student numbers	Recommended maximum 4 classes with up to 30 students per class.
Risk management plan	Risk assessment provided in location tile.
Bring	School first aid kits, student medication and ASCIA action plans Low waste food and water bottle Sun protection - hats and sunblock Insect repellent
Clothing	Sports uniform Sports shoes Raincoat in case of wet weather. Please no umbrellas.
Staff and student welfare	The program requires walking through parklands. The site is fully accessible but may not be suitable for recently unwell participants. For medical or special needs notify staff prior to program.
Extreme or wet weather	In general, our staff are prepared to complete learning programs in varied weather conditions except where health and safety could be compromised. School staff should assess the appropriateness of the visit with poor conditions and discuss with our centre staff as soon as possible. In the event of cancellation, we will do our best to find an alternative date. Please view our trigger points for postponement and cancellation.
Trigger points for cancellation	See our bookings page
Cancellation policy	Cancellation or major changes to bookings will incur the following cancellation fees: within 30 days of excursion or incursion date - $600 administration fee charged within 7 days of excursion/incursion date - total fee charged based on confirmed student numbers. Weather or fire danger cancellation – $0