Adapt to Survive (Year 5)

Adapt to Survive is a whole day program that transports students into the amazing world of adaptations. At the start of the day, students meet a disgruntled ‘Professor’ who needs to learn more about animal adaptations to get their job back. Students identify structural adaptations of native plants to determine if it would ideally survive in a wet or dry environment. Students sketch the iconic Australian grass tree and discuss Aboriginal People’s knowledge of the adaptations of this species and how different parts of the plant were used in daily life. Students have a go at firesticks and also make a lather of soap from leaves. The program leads students on an adventure into Toohey Forest to locate and collect invertebrates using a variety of entomological equipment such as insect jars, sweep nets and beating trays. Whilst in the forest, students will find a multitude of invertebrates that may include moths, ants, spiders, termites, stick insects, centipedes, millipedes, bugs and beetles. Using a large digital microscope, students examine in depth the structural features and adaptations that assist invertebrates to grow and survive in different environments. Students visit our enclosures to identify the adaptations of our native animals. They then complete an activity entitled ‘Creature Feature’ where they design an animal with adaptations that are suitable for survival in a particular environment. At the end of the day the ‘Professor’ returns and students are given the opportunity to explain how particular physical and behavioural characteristics of living things enable their survival. The program concludes with a live animal presentation where students meet some of our native animals discussing their adaptations.

Adapt to Survive has been assessed as medium risk. A Curriculum Activity Risk Assessment is available on request. A student field booklet will be provided upon confirmation of your booking.

Curriculum Intent