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Stage 4 Program - Living Systems on Rocky Shores - Rock Platform Ecology Field Trip

Narrabeen or Long Reef Aquatic Reserves

Student outcomes

The students will learn to:

  • SC4-LIV-01  Describes the role, structure and function of a range of living systems and their components.

  • SC4-WS-02 Working scientifically Questioning and predicting - Identifies questions and makes predictions to guide scientific investigations.

  • SC4-WS-05 Working scientifically Processing data and information - Uses a variety of ways to process and represent data.

  • SC4-WS-08 Working scientifically Communicating - Communicates scientific concepts and ideas using a range of communication forms.

  • SC4-CLS-01  Describes structural features that can be used to classify organisms.

Pre – Field trip enquiry based investigation planning

Using the CEC prepared page students will choose two common intertidal snails and develop a plan to examine their habitat, feeding behaviour or abundance in a safe intertidal area. It is preferable to do this in their small groups the period before their field trip, but it can be done individually for homework.

Master student worksheets and all field equipment are also provided.

Sample program

Suggested times are for a mid-day low tide.

  • Arrive and meet CEC Educators who will give a brief site induction and introduction on today’s field trip. If time permits, students can have an early morning tea break where toilets and water are close by.

  • Students discuss safety, human impact and current management.

  • Biotic and Abiotic Factors - Students identify intertidal organisms, their micro-habitats and different zones within the intertidal area. just before low tide. They measure the abundance of a given species and consider abiotic factors that might affect this abundance.

  • Structures for Survival - Students identify two organisms from different phyla. They identify the features they used to classify them and draw a scientific diagram of each, outlining their physical characteristics. Students identify structures that are important for their survival in an intertidal environment. 

  • Food webs and Trophic Pyramids - Students construct a simplified food web based on observed species. Students assess the abundance of organisms at different trophic levels, construct a food pyramid and offer an explanation for why the abundance is different at each level.

  •  Australia’s Unique Species and the Importance of Stewardship - Sooty Oystercatcher case study – a locally endangered species. Students discuss threats, ecological significance and impacts from climate change and the need for aquatic reserves.

  • Lunch – at an appropriate time in the day students will have a 30 min break for lunch where toilets and water are close by.

Bookings

Please note: Please book early for low tides, there are only ~ 10 ideal dates available each year. Please call one of our high school educators for availability; 1300 000 232.

This is an enjoyable and productive program. Groups of more than 90 will be split into 2 or 3 Long Reef and 2 or 3 Narrabeen groups so as to avoid congestion at each site. We can fit in with your bus times and will provide bus directions after confirmation.

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