Koala rangers excursion

Program overview

Koala rangers is a Stage 3 Science and Technology excursion where students become Koala Rangers and explore one of Campbelltown’s most important koala habitats. Students will bushwalk through local eucalypt forest investigating real signs of koala activity. A taxidermy koala and animal evidence supports learning in structural adaptations. They learn about habitat health and construct food webs to show the flow of matter and energy from the sun, to the endemic grey gum to koalas and beyond. Fieldwork equipment is used to measure and record environmental data for students to discover the challenges facing this endangered species.

This immersive real-world excursion develops scientific inquiry skills, encourages advocacy and empowers young people to care for their local environment. Students will connect with nature, record field observations in a field journal, contribute to practical conservation actions and create powerful messages to help protect koalas in our community.

This program supports high potential and gifted students.

Learning intentions

We are learning about behavioural and structural adaptations of Australian plants and animals
We are learning about the flow of matter and energy in an ecosystem
We are learning how to record scientific data for interpretation.

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Program information

Suggested timetable

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	Picnic lunch and toilets
12.00pm - 1.30pm	River and bushland activities
1.30pm - 2.00pm	Snack, conclude and depart

Syllabus outcomes and content

Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus (2024)

Focus area outcomes

Knowledge of our world and beyond inspires sustainable solutions

ST3-SCI-01 uses evidence to explain how scientific knowledge can be used to develop sustainable practices

ST3-PQU-01 poses questions to identify variables and conducts fair tests to gather data

Content

Living things may change over millions of years, in response to their environments

Observe behavioural and structural adaptations of plants and animals, and suggest how these may help them survive in their environments
Examine and explain how the characteristics of flowers, fruit and seeds are adaptations for reproduction in plants
Interpret a food web that describes the flow of matter and energy between plants and animals in an ecosystem
Identify and describe how the loss or introduction of plants or animals affects an Australian ecosystem
Examine evidence that environments have changed over time and continue to change
Describe how Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ sustainable practices continue to protect the environment.

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