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Back to our Educational Incursions complete List
In a safe, familiar environment children will experience Australian wildlife like never before! Lots of excitement, laughter and fun will alleviate any initial fears. Particular
emphasis is placed on animal body coverings i.e. scales and fur, and we examine concepts such as soft, hard, and spiky etc. Children will learn about the basic dietary requirements of each animal, where they live and why they look the way they do. Every child has the opportunity to touch every animal. If it’s hands-on you want – this is the program you’re after!
Emphasis is placed on the basic needs of each animal. Observing the morphology (body shape) of each creature, we will discuss the particular habits and environmental needs of each species. We will explore concepts such as nocturnal/diurnal, omnivorous/carnivorous/herbivorous, and arboreal / terrestrial etc. One will learn how ectotherms can survive on limited food, why reptiles shed their skin etc. At the end of this lecture, students will have a greater understanding of the diversity of Australian animals.
At this level students will already understand basic ecological terms and concepts. Discussion is based more on the behaviour and morphology of each species. Is the animal fast or slow in movement- why and how? Does the animal use camouflage to avoid being detected – or what are it’s defence strategies? Does the animal reproduce by having live young or by laying eggs. What does the animal eat, and
what animals eat it. We observe the presence and absence of various morphological traits. Does the animal have webbed feet, for swimming? Why are sharp claws useful? Students will learn to classify animals observing similarities and differences.
This lecture concentrates primarily on the behaviour of each animal. Why are scales effective heat generators? What are the limitations of being an ectotherm or an endotherm? What are the benefits of being nocturnal / diurnal? What are some of the adaptations/morphological traits which have enabled a particular species to be successful in its environment? Greater emphasis is placed on taxonomy, classifying each animal into a kingdom, phyla, class, order, family, genus and species. We discuss why zoologists classify organisms into groups, and why they use scientific names.
Sessions Costs prices Current January 2010 (melbourne metro prices)
1 interactive session $350 inc. GST
2 interactive sessions $650 inc. GST
3 interactive sessions $870 inc. GST
4 interactive sessions $1050 inc. GST
5 interactive sessions $1200 inc. GST
6 interactive sessions $1350 inc. GST
A maximum of 30 students are permitted in each lecture. Due to insurance reasons, Wild Action staff reserve the right to cancel the presentation if class sizes exceed this number. Prices for multiple lectures are based on lectures performed on the same day. Lectures run for one hour in duration
