Stage 4 - Living Systems

Science

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Program Overview

This unique and highly engaging program allows students to perform a first-hand investigation of a freshwater ecosystem using various scientific equipment and data collection methods to:

identify a range of plants and animals that exist in Penrith Lakes and learn about some of their adaptations for survival;
construct and interpret food chains and food webs using the organisms found;
describe some of the interactions between freshwater aquatic organisms in food chains and food webs, including producers, consumers and decomposers.

Students are guaranteed to be involved in a number of engaging and hands-on experiences during the course of the day. Through these students will further develop their knowledge and understanding, field work and group work skills.

Focus

Science Focus Area

Stage 4: Living Systems

Sub-strands - Ecosystems

Note: This excursion can also be used as a model for a DEPTH STUDY.

Water Testing - Abiotic Data Collection

Water bird Walk

Dipnetting - Freshwater Invertebrate Collection

Water Testing Equipment

Program Activities

Introduction to Penrith Lakes and the development of the local freshwater ecosystem

Recess

Bird Observation, Recording and Analysis - Biotic Data Collection

Water Testing - Abiotic data collection

Macroinvertebrates - Biotic Data Collection

Lunch

Wrap up - How healthy is the Penrith Lakes Ecosystem? Interpretation of data collected. Human impacts on the ecosystem dating back to the traditional owners is analysed

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Key Syllabus Outcomes

Stage 4 Science – Living Systems - Ecosystems

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

Stage 4 Science – Working Scientifically

SC4-WS-01 Working scientifically Observing uses scientific tools and instruments for observations
SC4-WS-02 Working scientifically Questioning and predicting identifies questions and makes predictions to guide scientific investigations
SC4-WS-04 Working scientifically Conducting investigations follows a planned procedure to undertake safe and valid investigations
SC4-WS-05 Working scientifically Processing data and information uses a variety of ways to process and represent data
SC4-WS-06 Working scientifically Analysing data and information uses data to identify trends, patterns and relationships, and draw conclusions
SC4-WS-08 Working scientifically Communicating (Post excursion visit activity in the classroom) communicates scientific concepts and ideas using a range of communication forms

From: Science 7-10 Syllabus (2023)

Key Content

Ecosystems

Identify the components that make up an ecosystem
Investigate the interactions of biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem
Identify how matter and energy are cycled through an ecosystem
Create a food web and ecological energy pyramid based on local area observations to describe how matter and energy move through an ecosystem
Examine secondary-source data on the factors that change populations, including the introduction of a new species to an ecosystem, to identify trends, patterns and relationships, and draw conclusions

Living systems in context

Investigate factors that lead to a species becoming endangered or extinct to explain why Australia has some of the world’s highest rates of species population decline and extinction

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