Douglas Scrub Campsite

SACSA PRIMARY YEARS - CURRICULUM LINKS

Society and Environment

Douglas Scrub is ideally suited to focus on the strand 'place, space and environment'.

• This could involve students in identifying particular features in maps and describe relationships observed. Maps for treasure hunts and plant studies are available.
  
• Students can draw simple maps. There are a number of tasks being undertaken at the campsite that student maps could be relevant for, including planning paths, controlling weeds, native and non native vegetation, uses of non native trees, weed control, and creek stabilisation
  
• The environment of the heritage listed Douglas scrub can be compared with land uses in the immediate surrounds. A teacher's map of the surrounding area is available for both bus and walking tours to look at land use. (An activity for students on the way to the camp might be to note changes and land use as you travel. Look for urban, rural residential, vineyards and agricultural. )

A visit to the camp will help students understand that people cause changes in natural, built and social environments and they can act together in solving problems to ensure ecological sustainability.

• Describe aspects of natural environments used to supply basic needs.
  * A map showing the locations of various plants collected by Aboriginal people for food and other uses is available.
  * Students can also investigate resources available for the native animals living in Douglas Scrub - eg birds nesting in trees, feeding on grubs, obtaining water from the creek and dam.
  
• Classes can discuss the concept of ecological sustainability, identify personal responsibility, and collaborate in environmental projects.
  * An extremely good, international, two day program, Earthkeepers, can be conducted by an accredited presenter. This role playing mystery is an involving mixture of theatrics and science, with a very strong Futures educational component.
  * Information on tree planting, Waterwatch, Frogwatch and Airwatch and how these programs can be used at the campsite are available from the on-site Manager.

Science

Douglas scrub has enormous potential to address the 'earth and space' strand as well as the 'life systems' strand.

• They can identify the steps the campsite manger has taken to reduce the risk of degradation of its natural environment and suggest future work that could be done. The on-site manger can explain current strategies and problems.
  * The Earthkeepers program is excellent for this.
  * Students can use natural materials to make models of their planned developments.
  
• Students can describe how people have altered the local landscape by comparing the heritage listed scrub are with local rural development.
  
• At times it is possible to arrange for students to explore the heavens with a small on-site telescope.

Within the 'life systems' strand students can explore relationships between living things by posing questions about features and functions.

• Compare features of plants (eg leaves, stem, roots (of weeds) and/or flowers.) Looking at distribution of plants and environmental factors.
• Describe the functional features of an animal.
  * Look at the adaptations of study of the tame wombats, kangaroos, and sugar gliders at the camp. (The nocturnal sugar gliders are visible at night by means of special illumination.)
  * Use observation, a hand lens and/or a microscope to identify and describe specific details of "mini beasts" in the many diverse habitats of the campsite..
  * Collect, study and release insects and other invertebrates.
• Communicate understanding of life cycles and the importance of diversity for the future.
  * Investigate Aboriginal use of the resources of the area. (Map and information available.)
  * Compare life cycles of different living organisms and explain the interdependence of diversity of life forms.

Maths

Mapping and map reading skills feature in many activities suggested for a Douglas scrub camp.

Within the strand 'spatial sense and geometric reasoning' students can use positional language and measurements to formally map location and arrangements. They can give and follow directions from a chosen reference point, using positional language and measurements of distance.
* A simple orienteering course is available.
* Simple maps of the area can be used to develop student skills and help them produce their own maps. They can identify key features of maps and plans produced by their peers and use them to locate objects.

Health and Physical Education

The campsite is an ideal place to develop aspects of personal and social development. Students will necessarily understand different relationships and, through a variety of experiences, develop cooperative work and social skills.

• Demonstrate skills of active listening and reasoning with others. The Earthkeepers program is particularly powerful in this respect. Involvement in vegetation mapping, tree planting, plant identification, team horizontal wall climbing, campfire cooking, tent or cabin maintenance will develop interpersonal skills.
• Hiking, night walks, wall climbing, a safe well maintained adventure course, canoes, raft building, swimming and numerous other physical activities are features of the site and surrounds.

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