Download Auckland Botanic Gardens

Auckland Botanic Gardens
Primary school programmes
Learning through Experience 2011
Find out more: phone 09 301 0101
or visit www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/educationforsustainability
Primary schools
Auckland Botanic Gardens Manurewa
Twenty five minutes from downtown Auckland, the Botanic Gardens is home to over 10,000 plants spread
over 64 hectares in Manurewa.
Plantings include New Zealand natives, exotics from around the world, roses, an edible garden, an herb
garden and a threatened plants garden, as well as the largest remnant of broadleaf/podocarp forest in the
Manukau area.
The star of the show for most young visitors is the Potter Children's Garden which tells the legend of Maui,
the kereru, the püriri and Maui's parents. Children are drawn to the caterpillar garden, the sundial, the
waterwheel and pump, the boardwalks, streams, sculptures and native plants which together weave an
enchantment in this magical garden.
This garden now has an exciting extension featuring four major habitats - desert, jungle, bog and meadow
which showcase the amazing adaptations plants develop to survive in different environments. The garden
includes a number of low impact design features such as a green roof, rain gardens and examples of
sustainable building concepts. An important feature of the garden is the sustainability shed. Here, school
groups will be able to explore and construct creatively using sustainable building materials and develop
technological solutions to gardening and sustainability challenges.
The garden is also home to a purpose built kitchen garden and propagation house where school groups learn
and practice the skills needed to become the next generation of gardeners.
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Programmes run for half a day unless otherwise indicated
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Self-guided activities are available for large groups (3 classes) unaccompanied by council staff
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Parent helpers are required to take an active role supervising activities for parts of some programmes.
Amazing Adaptations
Years 4 - 8
Key concepts
Plant adaptations; the importance of different habitats;
human impact on the environment.
Description
From parched, barren deserts to wet, humid rainforests,
plants have adapted to live in the most extreme habitats.
They’re the ultimate colonisers, inhabiting every corner of
the globe and how they do it is truly amazing!
Students explore plants and plant habitats and are asked
to think about the main adaptations these have made to
fit in. Big leaves, hairs, spikes, vines... there are many
features plants adopt to adapt.
Learning area
Science:
Living World Levels 3-4
Cost
$2 per student
Resource
Plant Power
Primary schools Auckland Botanic Gardens - Manurewa
23
Bird Adaptations
Years 0 - 2
August and September is
the best time for this programme
Key concepts
Adaptations; biodiversity; personal and social action for
the environment.
Description
What makes a bird a bird? Why can’t all birds fly?
Why are some species endangered and others flourishing?
Through a series of hands-on activities (including clay
footprints, and beak/bird matching), students discover the
answers to these and other questions. They have a go at
identifying birds, play the kereru game and learn about
the role our feathered friends play in seed dispersal and
pollination.
Students also consider the effect humans have had on
native bird populations, the conservation work being done
and what they can do to help.
Learning area
Science:
Living World Level 1-2
Cost
$2 per student (half day)
Resource
Birds
Birds Restoring our Heritage
Years 3 - 8
August and September is
the best time for this programme
Key concepts
Adaptations; interdependence; sustainability; biodiversity;
personal and social action for the environment.
Description
Students become ornithologists for the day as they learn
what they can do to improve the outlook for our native
birds.
Through a series of hands-on activities about adaptations,
predation and habitat restoration, they discover answers
to vital questions about the impacts humans have had on
New Zealand’s birdlife.
On the full-day programme, there’s time for budding
twitchers to explore the hidden pockets of the gardens to
observe, identify and count birds.
Learning area
24
Science:
Living World Level 2-4
Cost
$4 per student
(full day - two classes only)
$2 per student (half day)
Resource
Birds
Create your own Garden
Fabulous Plant Fibres
Years 0 - 6
Years 3 - 6
Key concepts
Key concepts
Plant propagation; seedling care; mulching; composting
and sustainability.
Properties of plant fibres; classifying fibres; observing
temporary and permanent physical changes to fibres;
sustainability; social action for the environment.
Description
Students are introduced to the wonders of gardening
through a range of hands-on activities in our edible, herb
and children’s gardens.
Using a variety of tools, they prepare and mulch the soil,
water the garden and clean up afterwards. They ready
seeds for germination and discover the secrets of
successful seedlings, before examining and feeding the
worms in the compost bins and worm farm.
Along the way students become familiar with the
life-cycle of plants and what they need to survive,
develop an understanding of organic gardening and leave
with the know-how to create and maintain a garden.
NOTE: Students will need a small recycled yoghurt
container each for seed germination and a box to
transport them back to school.
Learning area
Science:
Living World Levels 1-3
Cost
$2 per student
Resource
Creating Organic Gardens in Schools
Description
For thousands of years, humans have used fibrous plants
to make cloth, rope, sacks, baskets, mats, brushes and
paper. But which plants are good for what? And how is
the fibre extracted?
Students find the answers to these and many more
questions as they examine different fabrics and classify
them according to origin (silk from worms, linen from flax
etc). They learn about processes like retting, scutching,
heckling and spinning and try their hand at weaving and
paper making.
Then it’s out to the gardens to search for some fabulously
fibrous plants before leaving with a new appreciation of
natural fibres and the role they can play in a sustainable
future.
Learning area
Science:
Nature of Science Levels 1-4,
Material World Levels 1-4
Cost
$2 per student
Flower Power
Years 0 - 4
Key concepts
Life cycle of plants; parts and functions of a flower;
pollination; seed dispersal.
Description
Power to the flowers!
Through a series of age-appropriate experiments and
puzzles, children learn about the life cycle of plants and
the wonderful process of pollination. Why do plants have
flowers? What are the various parts for? And what role
do insects and birds play in all this? They’ll also explore
the where-to’s and what-for’s of seed dispersal and plant
their own seed to take home with them.
NOTE: Please bring one yoghurt pot per student so
children can plant seeds to take back to school.
Learning area
Science:
Living World Level 2-3
Cost
$2 per student
Resource
Flower Power
Primary schools Auckland Botanic Gardens - Manurewa
25
Forest Ecosystem
Green Garden Makeover
Years 3 - 8
Years 3 - 8
Key concepts
Key concepts
Structure of the forest; interdependence; sustainability;
biodiversity; personal and social action for the
environment.
Description
Description
Why are forests called the lungs of the Earth?
That’s one of the many questions to which students find
an answer when they go exploring in the forest.
On their mirror walk they see the bush as they’ve never
seen it before and meet some of the stars of the show
(kowhai, pöhutukawa, tötara, rimu, puriri, kauri etc).
They get to grips with the concept of canopies, and use
magnifying glasses and an ‘earth blanket’ to discover how
forests are the best recyclers in the world.
The take-home message: Plants are essential to our
survival and all life on earth is interconnected.
Learning area
Science:
Living World Levels 2-4
Cost
$2 per student
Resource
Let’ s Focus on Trees
Friends and Foes
in the Garden
Years 4 - 8
Key concepts
Sustainability; role of invertebrates; interdependence;
composting; life cycles; mulching; pest control.
Description
Fed up with bugs eating the veggies in the garden before
you do? Students learn to grow healthy plants that stand
up to garden pests, leaving all the nourishment and
enjoyment of eating them for you!
With a background of invertebrate food chains and life
cycles it’s out into the garden to find what baddies are
hiding. Having identified the garden’s main pests students
make up magic potions to help deal to pests back in their
school gardens.
But no nasty chemicals used here... it’s all natural!
Students learn about the role of healthy soil in growing
strong, fit plants by composting the soil and planting
companion seedlings.
Learning areas
26
Science:
Living world Levels 2-3
Planet earth and beyond Levels 1-3
Cost
$2 per student
Resource
Creating Organic Gardens in Schools
Sustainability; waste reduction; creativity; design.
Give your garden the facelift it deserves! Learn natural
construction techniques and create original artworks for
your garden that double as functional and sustainable
garden features. The following options are available to
choose from:
● Original planter
● Hypertufa pots
● Mosaic pavers
● Green walls
● Green roofed bird hoses
● Adobe construction
● Strawbale walls
● Groovy greenhouses
● Wind chimes
● Cloches
Learning areas
Social Science:
Technology:
Levels 2-4
Level 2-4
Cost
$4
Harakeke Weaving and
Cultivation
Years 5 - 8
Available Term 3, weeks 1 and 2
Key concepts
Traditional Maori uses of harakeke; Tikanga; propagation
by seed and division of plants.
Description
Fun with flax!
Students make connections with Maori culture and learn
protocols for harvesting and weaving harakeke before
weaving their own fish and flower flax sculptures.
Then it’s off to the flax collection to discover the different
types and many uses of flax (kete, sandals, rope, cloaks),
before students cultivate their own harakeke plant to
take home.
NOTE: Please bring two small recycled yoghurt
containers per student for seed sowing and a box to
transport them back to school.
Learning area
Social Sciences: Levels 3-4
Science:
Living World Levels 2-4
Green Waste to
Garden Gold
Cost
$4 per student
(full day - two classes only)
Resource
He Harakeke
Years 3 - 8
Key concepts
Nutrient cycle; interdependence; animals as decomposers;
human impacts; sustainability; composting systems;
personal action.
Description
Forget worm farms and wheelie bins, forests are the
ultimate recyclers!
After a walk in the forest to see how nature does it,
students learn about the nutrient cycle, the role of
decomposers and how we can all turn waste into compost
for our gardens.
They explore the worm farm, assemble a compost bin,
learn the art of layering and have a go at making ‘garden
gold’ themselves.
Learning areas
Social Studies:
Technology:
Living world Levels 2-3
Planet earth and beyond Levels 2-3
Levels 2-3
Level 2-3
Cost
$2 per student
Resource
Green Waste to Garden Gold
Science:
Primary schools Auckland Botanic Gardens - Manurewa
27
Invertebrates on our
Doorstep
Years 0 - 4
Key concepts
Role of invertebrates; interdependence; biodiversity;
sustainability.
Description
Calling all bug hunters!
With microscopes and magnifiers, students get up close
and personal with the creepy crawlies that inhabit our
world. They learn about the different types of
invertebrates - worms, slugs, spiders, bees, centipedes…
and discover some interesting facts. Did you know spider
silk is the strongest fibre in the world? Or that there’s an
African beetle (that can detect smoke 50kms away) that
could help in the design of smoke alarms?
Along the way students explore the food chain and
discover that all life is inter-connected. They also learn
how invertebrates can contribute to a sustainable future
and what they can do to help.
The key message: Look after the environment.
Learning area
Science:
Living World Level 1-2
Cost
$2 per student
Let's Focus on Trees
Years 0 - 4
Key concepts
Plant life cycle; parts and functions of a tree;
interdependence; personal and social action for the
environment.
Description
Why do trees have roots? What’s bark for? Why are some
leaves big and some small?
Through a series of creative and sensory activities
students explore the wonderful world of trees. They learn
about the different parts of a tree, the role each part
plays and how we and other animals depend on trees for
survival.
On a walk through the native plantings, students meet
some iconic native trees and learn how they can play a
part in protecting our environment.
Learning area
28
Science:
Living World Levels 1-2
Cost
$2 per student
Resource
Let’ s Focus on Trees
Natives in a Nutshell
Years 5 - 8
Key concepts
Plant propagation; biodiversity; environmental action;
sustainability
Description
Want to spruce up your school with some native plants?
Perhaps attract native birds into the garden, or improve
the health of a nearby stream? Come and take a walk on
the wild side and learn to love our natives.
Students will experience what makes our native flora so
special and why people travel from far and wide to see
it. In the nursery some tricks of the horticulture trade are
shared and students try their hand at sowing, cutting and
growing. Students will head home with a box of treasures
to raise at school and a can-do attitude that will enable
them to practice and perfect these skills to build a forest
of their own.
NOTE: Please bring three small recycled yoghurt
containers per student for seed sowing and a box to
transport them back to school.
Learning areas
Science:
Living World Level 2-3
Social Sciences: Level 2-3
Outdoor Challenge
(Safety in the Outdoors)
Cost
$2
Years 4 - 8
Available Term 1 and 4
Resource
Let’ s Focus on Trees
Key concepts
Safe practices in the outdoors; skills for the outdoors;
personal and social skills - cooperation, challenge; caring
for the environment.
Description
This programme is a brilliant way to introduce your class
to the great outdoors, Kiwi-style!
Students learn about keeping safe and having fun through
practical hands-on activities. They have a go at pitching
tents and cooking sausages, and get the low-down on
tramping, orienteering and what to do if things go wrong.
NOTE: The selection of activities will be adapted to
meet the particular needs and experience of your
group.
A pre-visit is recommended for this programme.
Visiting teachers and parents are required to take an
active role in helping with this programme. A reasonable
level of fitness is required.
Learning area
Health and Physical Education:
Personal Health and Physical Development Safety and Risk Management Levels 2-4
Movement Concepts and Motor Skills Levels 2-4
Relationships with Other People Levels 2-4
Cost
$4
Primary schools Auckland Botanic Gardens - Manurewa
29
Patch to Plate
Years 0 - 4
Key concepts
Importance of fruit and vegetables in our diet;
sustainability; growing plants; working in an edible
garden.
Description
The aim of this programme is to get students to ‘dig’
their veggies …in every sense of the word!
Through hands-on activities students learn about our
dependence on plants, the nutrients they provide and the
various parts of plants we eat (carrots = roots, cabbage
= leaves etc).
Then it’s time to dig! As well as harvesting what’s ready
to eat (and having a munch), apprentice gardeners are
taught the basics of veggie growing and plant their own
mini seeds to take away with them.
Learning area
Health and Physical Education:
Personal Health and Physical Development Levels 1-2
Safety and Risk Management Levels 1-2
Healthy Communities and Environments levels 1-2
Science:
Living World Levels 1-2
Cost
$2 per student
Resource
Organic Gardening
Super Survivors
Years 1 - 4
Key concepts
Survival needs; plant adaptations; biodiversity;
interdependence.
Description
From dry as a bone deserts to soggy bogs, plants have
adapted to live in the most extreme habitats. They’re the
ultimate colonisers, inhabiting every corner of the globe
and how they do it is truly amazing!
While exploring habitats in the garden students discover
how plants use spikes, funnels and traps to help get what
they need where only the toughest survive. Using magic
magnifiers students’ spy what makes a flytrap snap and
how bromeliad soup is made. Students will propagate
their own hardy succulent plant and make a treasured
keepsake of flowers and their precious pollen. Students
learn what plants need and the extraordinary lengths they
go to for survival.
Note: Please bring one yoghurt pot per student so
children can propagate a plant to take back to school.
Learning area
30
Science:
Living World Levels 1-2
Cost
$2 per student