Platypus rangers
Science and Technology
Step into the hidden world of the platypus with an immersive, hands-on learning adventure at Simmos Beach Reserve. Equipped with a field journal for scientific recording students become Platypus Rangers as they investigate freshwater habitats, discover extraordinary physical adaptations, conduct scientific water testing and observe how eDNA testing detects platypus DNA in water samples. We will go on an adventurous bushwalk along the banks of the river to uncover how this secretive monotreme survives and investigate the challenges it faces in the wild. This full-day program blends field science, inquiry learning and creative thinking.
This program supports high potential and gifted students.
Maximum four classes per day.
Location
Essential information
| Year | Cost |
| 2025/26 |
|
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
| Time | Classes 1, 2, 3 and 4 |
| 9.30am | Arrival - introduction, recess and toilets |
| 10.00am - 11.30am | River and bushland activities |
| 11.30am - 12.00pm | Lunch and toilets |
| 12.00pm - 1.30pm | River and bushland activities |
| 1.30pm - 2.00pm | Snack, conclude and depart |
Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus (2024)
Focus area outcomes
Physical and living systems depend on energy
- ST2-SCI-01 uses information to investigate the solar system and the effects of energy on living, physical and geological systems
- ST2-DAT-01 uses and interprets data to describe patterns and relationships
Content groups
Living things depend on energy and materials to survive
- identify the systems of Earth that make up environments: air – atmosphere, land – lithosphere, water – hydrosphere, living things – biosphere
- Describe how the needs of living things are provided by the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere
- Describe the relationship between habitat, ecosystem and environment
- Observe and describe living and non-living things in a habitat
- Describe how Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ practices support habitats to survive
- Describe the transfer of energy between plants and animals using food chains, Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary
- Describe ways in which plants and animals depend on each other for survival
Body systems work together to enable movement
- Recognise that all animals are either invertebrates with no spine, or vertebrates with a spine
- Compare ways invertebrates and vertebrates move on land, in water and in the sky
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
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