Connecting with place: Year 9 explores Studley Park
Learning beyond the classroom gave our Year 9 Outdoor Education students the opportunity to explore the flora, fauna and changing landscape of Studley Park.
During their excursion to Studley Park Boathouse, students took a walk through the park, observing native animals and plants, investigating introduced and invasive species and considering how the landscape has changed over time as a result of natural events and human activity.
The day brought plenty of surprises. Students discovered that turtles live in the Yarra River, that floodwaters can reach up to 13 metres above ground and that familiar plants such as clover can be introduced species.
Students also explored the different habitats that support native flora and fauna and considered how human development can influence natural environments. They examined the impact of built structures and tourism on the landscape, including the importance of where these structures are placed and the potential long-term effects on surrounding habitats.
For Lana, the excursion provided an opportunity to develop her understanding of the different relationships within natural environments:
“We learnt about which habitats can co-exist and support different animals, the weeds and different species of plants and trees surrounding us on our walk, and how built-in structures in our natural habitats are influenced and shaped by tourism.”
Claire reflected on the value of experiencing these concepts beyond the classroom:
The experience allowed students to connect their classroom learning with the environments around them, deepening their understanding of habitats, plant species, environmental risks and the relationship between people and the natural world.
