Secondary Education Programs Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
The following programs are designed to support the VELS and AusVELS. They provide an effective and integrated approach for teaching across the Domains.
New! Carbon Futures The Carbon Futures program developed by WithOneSeed in association with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, is ‘planting seeds’ to enable Australian students to better understand their energy consumption, their environment, the carbon cycle and their rights and responsibilities as citizens of the Asia Pacific region. Experiences include measuring carbon in trees, measuring personal carbon emissions from technology usage and discovering the many other services a forest has to offer people anywhere on the planet.
New! Working Wetlands This program examines the vital resource of water and how the Royal Botanic Gardens uses water saving and water quality improvement strategies. The program also explores how to create sustainable habitats for indigenous plant and animal communities in a suburban environment. Students will participate in a variety of activities including ponding for fresh water invertebrates, observations of wildlife habitats and developing ideas for future sustainable resource use. VCE programs also available.
New! Landscapes for Learning Are you planning a garden or outdoor space at your school? Would you like your students to be an integral part of the design and implementation process? Through the exploration of the plants and landscapes of the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden, students discover how to develop an outdoor space that can be centred around sustainability, biodiversity as well as creative and artistic expression. During their visit they will explore the design of outdoor spaces, using natural materials, the sensory world of plants, authentic work in the garden, plant selection, sustainability, biodiversity and how these can be incorporated into their own school environment. Students will take home a seedling or propagated cutting to contribute to their garden space.
Connecting to Country Connecting to Country is designed to give students a greater understanding and respect for the local Kulin culture. Students visit Long Island, where indigenous plant habitat has been returned and understand the significance of Waa (the raven) and Birrarung (the Yarra River). Experiences include making and using ochre paint and string from plant fibre. The emphasis is on diversity and examining sustainable land practices used by Aboriginal people. A teacher’s resource kit is available on our website. Full day program with Koorie Heritage Trust available.
Sustainable Gardening The basic skills of sustainable gardening practice are taught during this hands-on program, exploring water conservation, organic gardening methods, composting and worm farming. Students will consider ideas for designing or developing their own gardens by exploring the landscapes of the Gardens.
Biodiversity on the Yarra Where in Melbourne would you go to see spoonbills and night herons feeding at the billabong, eels and long necked tortoises swimming in a wetland or even powerful owls and a reed warbler. As you walk through this revegetated island, you will be able to observe some of the interrelationships between the indigenous flora and fauna using binoculars to explore life cycles and food chains. Students will examine aquatic invertebrates through pond sampling. Plantworks Explore the structure and function of plants and investigate amazing adaptations from a variety of ecosystems. Students participate in observational activities in the Gardens using stereo microscopes, pot up a native plant seedling and investigate the plant collections in the Tropical Hot House and the Herb Garden.
Climate Change Climate change is now accepted as a reality that we have to address globally. Find out what it means for us and what we can do about it individually, in a very positive sense. Take home a drought tolerant carbon fixing plant and find out how to creatively manage and store water while reflecting on the bigger picture solutions.
Science of Soil - Explore Guilfoyle’s Volcano This program looks at various aspects of soil and aims to develop an understanding of the important role of soil in life on Earth. Students handle different types of soil, discover wetting patterns of different soil types, test pH of various soils and measure soil temperature in a range of locations.
Plant Power - Explore Guilfoyle’s Volcano Plants are a vital part of everyday life; this program looks at many aspects of plant growth. Students will participate in hands-on activities which will involve measuring tree height, using compasses to make a tree canopy map, photographing various types of leaves, counting tree rings to check growth and planting a cutting.
Water Management - Explore Guilfoyle’s Volcano Water Management aims to give students a full understanding of the history of water use in the Gardens and ways that water-saving techniques can be used in the wider community. This program engages and challenges students through a range of hands-on activities, including: making a dripper watering system, creating contour lines on a landscape and seeing water-saving principles in operation.
The Rainforest Experience Fern Gully, a rainforest in the heart of Melbourne! Within the Gardens there is also a huge diversity of rainforest plants from Australia and around the world. Students will explore rainforest structure and ecology and the importance of rainforest conservation.
Plant Toxicology Come on a journey to discover the hidden power of plants and how they fight for survival in the face of constant attack from animals. Many plants make poisons in order to defend themselves and the effects are significant for humans and other animals. Learn the shocking truth that many common garden plants and parts of common food plants are poisonous. Recognise the features of poisonous plants, like those in the Solanaceae family.
Changing Landscapes (Years 7–VCE: Suitable for Humanities, Outdoor & Enviro. Studies Unit 3) This program examines the changing landscape of Melbourne including changes in attitudes and the impact of land use. There is an emphasis on the importance of the Yarra River and the role of vegetation within the landscape, as well as its significance to the Kulin Nation. Students will compare historic images of the site and propagate an indigenous plant to take home.
LOTE & Cultural Programs: Indonesian, French, Italian These programs help teachers immerse their students in the Gardens as an inspiring resource for language studies. Activities highlight plant use in these cultures and provide opportunity for language enrichment. Teacher kits are available on our website. For further information and bookings, Session Times: 1hr 45mins program please contact: 10.15am – 12.00 noon 12.30pm – 2.15pm phone: 03 9252 2358 email: [email protected] Please see our web-site: website: www.rbg.vic.gov.au/learn http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/learn/programs/secondary- melbourne - for current prices and professional development opportunities. We can also provide you with Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne PD a tailored to your needs. Birdwood Ave, South Yarra, Vic 3141 (Melways Map: 2F, K12)