Activity Introduction
Quick summary: In this lesson, students investigate the role of conservation in zoos. They begin by exploring why we need to conserve living things and investigate conservation programs as having three key parts: 1. Breeding and release, 2. Reducing threats in the wild, and 3. Education and action. Students look at the Eastern Barred Bandicoot as a successful local conservation program and the Rhino Fund Uganda (RFU) as a successful international conservation program. Students then research an Australian animal involved in a conservation program and create a scientific poster based on their research.
This lesson has been developed in partnership with Zoos Victoria. Zoos Victoria is a zoo-based conservation organisation whose mission is to fight extinction and support Victorians to be the world’s most wildlife friendly community through being caring, informed and active. Zoos Victoria operate three zoos: Werribee Open Range Zoo, Melbourne Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary. Click here to find out more about Zoos Victoria and their work on fighting extinction.
Learning intentions:
- Students understand what conservation is.
- Students understand why we need conservation programs for some animals.
- Students understand what the main features of a conservation program are.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Year 3 Science
- Living things can be grouped on the basis of observable features and can be distinguished from non-living things (ACSSU044)
- Science knowledge helps people to understand the effect of their actions (ACSHE051)
Year 4 Science
- Living things depend on each other and the environment to survive (ACSSU073)
- Science knowledge helps people to understand the effect of their actions (ACSHE062)
Syllabus outcomes: ST2-10LW, ST2-11LW.
General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking, Ethical Understanding
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.2, OI.7, OI.9.
Relevant parts of Year 3 Science achievement standards: Students group living things based on observable features and describe how they can use science investigations to respond to questions.
Relevant parts of Year 4 Science achievement standards: Students describe relationships that assist the survival of living thing, and identify when science is used to understand the effect of their actions.
Topic: Biodiversity.
Unit of work: Fighting Extinction – Primary
Time required: 80 mins.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – lead students in discussion, guide students through research and poster making activities.
Resources required: Student Worksheets – one copy per student. A device capable of presenting a video to the class. Poster making materials. One printed copy of the Learning Journal for each student (or invite students to access the Learning Journal used in the Tuning In lesson). Exploring Conservation – Year 3 Questions. Exploring Conservation – Year 4 Questions.
Keywords: Zoos Victoria, zoo, fighting extinction, extinction, animals, conservation, breeding, education, improving habitats, wolves, Eastern Barred Bandicoot.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
Teacher preparation
