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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. ● Programmes run for half a day unless otherwise indicated ● Self-guided activities are available for large groups (3 classes) unaccompanied by council staff ● 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