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Biological Diversity: Darwin Down Under - Stage 6

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This two-hour program will have students engage in primary and secondary investigations using the Botanic Garden's native Australian flora to explore cutting edge botanic science developments. Your students will participate in an interactive learning experience using our scientists' current data collected here at the Australian PlantBank.

Learning Activities

  • Students learn about Charles Darwin's observations of Australian plants
  • They will investigate current botanical research to explain the diversity, evolution and adaptations of key Australian species
  • ​Students also analyse primary and secondary resources to propose hypotheses for plant research

Stages

Stage 6 Biology

Location

PlantBank

Duration

2 hours

Cost

Click here. Minimum charges apply. Discounts apply for full day programs!

More information

Key Content

Students complete two of more of the following activities

  • Activity 1: Wollemi Under Pressure where they will examine changes to the distribution of the Wollemi Pine and what environmental pressures act on it. New DNA research now provides an update on the future of this significant species
  • Activity 2: Eucalypts are Diverse where students observe the adaptations of four eucalypt species to explain how they have adapted to their specific environments 
  • Activity 3: Prolific Proteaceae where students examine the symmetry of flowers and how recent DNA data has led to an understanding of the evolution of this family of plants
  • Activity 4: Where has the Black Bean Been? students will examine methods of seed dispersal and form hypotheses about the dispersal mechanisms of the Black Bean tree. New research from our scientists suggests there is more to the story. 
Syllabus Outcomes

Focus Syllabus Outcomes
SCIENCE

Module 3: Biological Diversity
  • Develops and evaluates questions and hypotheses for scientific investigation (BIO11/12-1)
  • Designs and evaluates investigations in order to obtain primary and secondary data and information (BIO11/12-2)
  • Communicates scientific understanding using suitable language and terminology for a specific audience or purpose (BIO11/12-7)
  • Describes biological diversity by explaining the relationships between a range of organisms in terms of specialisation for selected habitats and evolution of species (BIO11-10)
Plan Your Excursion
Got a question? For all the information you need to plan your excursion with us please click here

Sustainable Development Goals

Through our education programs we aim to 
•    ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning (SDG 4)
•    demonstrate actions that work towards making cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable (SDG 11)
•    inform and empower students to preserve our forests and halt biodiversity loss (SDG 15)

Through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals we promote prosperity for the whole community, while protecting our planet for future generations.               

                    

Online learning for your students

Adaptations
Thanks to their adaptations, living things have been evolving for millions of years.
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What are adaptations?
Plants and animals have in-built adaptations borne out of an evolutionary arms race. 
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Adaptations to the Anthropocene
Humans are around 300,000 years, yet we have the dominant influence on the Earth’s climate and environment. 
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We acknowledge the Dharawal people and their continuing custodianship of this land, Mount Annan (Yandel'ora - meaning place of peace between people). We pay our respects to the Dharawal Elders past, present and emerging.