Sustainable solutions excursion

Program overview

Sustainable solutions is a Stage 3 Science and technology excursion that engages students in the real-world impacts of waste.

During this immersive experience, students will conduct fair tests to investigate the properties of materials including those that dissolve or are easily weathered through chemical or physical processes. Armed with new knowledge students complete a macro and microplastic survey along Grand Flaneur Beach using standardised fair testing gathering data on pollution and analysing patterns in local waste. With this evidence, students examine sustainable solutions using a Sustainability Pyramid, focusing on rethinking and refusing products before they become waste.

Students will create a beautiful yet frightening artwork using sterilised materials to highlight our waste issue. Students are encouraged to research local recycling and recovery facilities including local stores to design a sustainable hub for their school community, an action plan that addresses real environmental concerns.

This program supports high potential and gifted students.

Learning intentions

We are learning how to conduct fair tests to gather data
We are learning about materials and sustainability
We are learning ways to implement sustainable practices in our school community.

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Program information

Suggested timetable

Time	Classes 1 and 2
9.30am	Arrival - Introduction and toilets
10.00am- 11.00am	Fair testing in the science lab
11.00am - 11.30pm	Recess and toilets
11.30am- 1.00pm	Macro and micro plastic survey on Grand Flaneur Beach
1.00pm - 1.30pm	Lunch and toilets
1.30pm - 2.00pm	Artworks for action

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
ST3-DAT-01 interprets data to support explanations and arguments

Content groups

A fixed amount of usable matter makes up all the material on Earth

Explain how recyclable, reusable, renewable, biodegradable and compostable materials enhance sustainability
Recognise that in a fair test, an independent variable is changed, a dependent variable is measured, and controlled variables remain the same
Pose questions to determine whether substances dissolve in water by identifying variables and conducting and evaluating fair tests
Investigate ways to collect and process waste to reduce pollution or increase the sustainable use of materials
Create and communicate a plan to implement a sustainable practice in a community that addresses an identified environmental concern

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 2 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