Aboriginal studies
Geography / History
The Thalgarrah site has rich archaeological evidence of the Anaiwan people's occupation. In addition to examining the artefacts they used, this program attempts to study how they survived in the woodland environment.
Nature's story
Creative Arts, English
Students will be introduced to the basic techniques and methods of digital photography and photo editing on an iPad. Using an iPad shared between two, students wander through the woodland adjacent to Thalgarrah taking a portfolio of photographs that portray the special features of nature. Students are also given solitude time in nature and develop a word bank. Upon return, students select their favourite photo to be edited, printed and framed. They also make a montage of images and words to convey nature's story, practising skills in visual literacy. Students’ printed images will be used to form a gallery for an art appreciation session.
Student Gallery of photos
Switched on
Science and Technology
A hands-on program that includes basic circuit making, testing for insulators and conductors and using small solar panels to drive a motor. Students are challenged to build a solar powered crane that can lift a load. The program also provides an opportunity for students to discuss alternative energy sources.
Kids vs Wild
PDHPE
In this adventure-style program, students are involved in working out bush survival challenges in small groups. Challenges include navigating through the forest using a map, building a shelter and cooking their own lunch. The program is designed to give students a chance to develop and hone social and emotional capabilities, including persistence, organisation, getting along and resilience.
Adaptations - Survival of the fittest
Science and Technology
Students examine plant and animal adaptations in a woodland ecosystem. They conduct a bug hunt in the forest and using microscopes and ipads write an e-book about adaptations of invertebrates. In small groups, students develop a small dramatic performance to teach other students about some of the adaptations of native Australian animal species.
Factors that shape places. A place for a duck *
Geography
Through this program students learn about the needs of a threatened species of duck local to the New England area. We visit a nearby wetland and using geography tools assess to see if the wetland is suitable, or can be modified to made more suitable for the duck.
Post visit activity: With knowledge gained from the fieldwork students write a script for a news report and, with the support of Thalgaarah staff, create an iMovie to present their recommendations to managing the wetland.
* Program is dependent on water levels at Swallowfield Billabong.
Art of Nature / Nature of Art
Creative Arts
In this program, students are outdoors looking at the elements of nature in a different way. They are taught a variety of painting and drawing skills that they use to produce a series of artworks inspired by the natural world.
