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Biological Diversity - Darwin Down Under Stage 6

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This 2 hour program will have students engage in primary and secondary investigations using the 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 - something they can't get in the classroom!

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Stages

Stage 6 Biology

Location

PlantBank

Contact

programs.info@bgcp.nsw.gov.au

Duration

2 hours

Cost

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

Excursion key themes:

  • Explore Charles Darwin's observations of Australian plants
  • Investigate current botanical research to explain the diversity, evolution and adaptations of key Australian species
  • Analyse primary and secondary resources to propose hypotheses for plant research

Students will...

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. 
Module 3: Biological Diversity

Inquiry question: How do environmental pressures promote a change in species diversity and abundance?
  • predict the effects of selection pressures on organisms in ecosystems, including: (ACSBL026, ACSBL090)
    • biotic factors
    • abiotic factors
  • investigate changes in a population of organisms due to selection pressures over time
Inquiry question: How do adaptations increase the organism's ability to survive?
  • conduct practical investigations, individually or in teams, or use secondary sources to examine the adaptations of organisms that increase their ability to survive in their environment, including:
    • structural adaptations
    • physiological adaptations
    • behavioural adaptations
  • investigate, through secondary sources, the observations and collection of data that were obtained by Charles Darwin to support the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection, for example:
    • Australian flora and fauna
Inquiry question: What is the relationship between evolution and biodiversity?
  • explain, using examples, how Darwin and Wallace's Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection accounts for: 
    • convergent evolution
    • divergent evolution
"It was great to use plant samples and fossils that we don't have at school. Covered many dot points and consolidated information."
Teacher, Aquinas Catholic College