Enquiry

Aboriginal Studies K - 12
Students are shown aboriginal artifacts and art works. Students collect and mix ochres which can be used for face painting or creating works of art. Using the Aboriginal colours, students make head bands and weavings. Students discuss Aboriginal culture, particularly the Dharug Tribe who occupied Western Sydney before European occupation.
Duration: 1/2 - 1 hour

Bush Foods Y2 - 12
The course includes a bush walk highlighting bush foods. Students cook damper in a 'bush oven' and taste a variety of bush foods - emu, crocodile, kangaroo & native fruits. Methods of hunting, collecting and preparing foods are discussed. Worksheets are available and the activity is enhanced with a collection of informative posters.
Duration: 1 - 3 hours

Art and Craft K - 12
The bush is an endless source of objects for art / craft lessons. Activities include the construction of mobiles, collages, printing, sand paintings, drawing, spatter work and painting.
Duration: 1/2 - 1 hour

Bird Watching K - 12
Students are shown specimens of local birds and nests. Using binoculars, they can study the appearance and habitats of the local birds. Identification charts, bird books and worksheets are available.
Duration: 1/2 - 1 hour

Dip Netting K - 12
This activity is carried out at a pond or lagoon. Each student has a dip net to collect water organisms which they observe under hand lenses, microscopes or on TV using a macro lens. Information on the life cycles of aquatic organisms is available and identification charts provided. The activity is ideal for introducing students to food chains and life cycles.
Duration: 1/2 - 1 hour

Environmental Activity Trail K - 12
This walk provides an excellent opportunity for students to observe termite mounds, vegetation succession, mistletoe and human impact. Activities include the study of leaf litter, insects, vegetation and soil. A self guided booklet is available for the trail.
Duration: 1/2 - 1 hour

Environmental Maths K - 12
Students can use the woodlands, camp site, old school house or the church and graveyard for measuring, estimating, finding shapes and colours, graphing and counting. Tape measures, clinometers and colour, shape and sequencing cards can be provided.
Duration: 1/2 - 1 hour

Graveyard Study K -12
Students visit an 1869 sandstone church and graveyard which provides a stimulus for a wide range of subjects including, English, Human Society & its Environment, Creative & Practical Arts, Maths. Activities include graphing, tracing families, calculating ages, writing poetry and role plays. Worksheets are available.
Duration: 3/4 - 1 1/2 hours

Historical Studies K - 12
A sandstone classroom (1878) and residence provides students with the opportunity to see how schools functioned in the past. A display showing the school before it closed to students is available plus a variety of resource books on early school days in Australia. Old ink wells, pens, desk and text books are available for students to look at. Students can try their hand at writing using the old pens and ink.
Duration: 1/2 - 1 hour

Animal Studies K - 12
Utilising microscopes, magnifying cubes and macro lens with a TV screen, students make close observation of the habitats and appearance of animals found in the area. Identification charts and resource books are available.
Duration: 1/2 - 1 hour

Leaf Litter Studies K - 12
Students study the leaf litter to find the organisms which inhabit it, how they assist in the breakdown of the litter and the type of vegetation present. This can be carried out in several locations and compared. Leaf litter creature identification charts, sieves and magnifying glasses are available.
Duration: 1/2 - 1 hour

Paper Making / Recycling K - 12
After discussing recycling, students make their own paper or a 'mush pot' from old pieces of paper. The recycled paper can be made into a card and decorated with a monoprint. A piece of wrapping paper makes a great envelope. mush pots can be decorated, provide storage for pens or planted with seeds.
Duration: 1/2 - 3/4 hour

Creative Writing K - 10
Around the centre are many 'special places', mossy areas, semi-rainforests, nooks of the old buildings and open areas, which are stimulating and ideal for language and writing exercises.
Duration: 1/2 - 3/4 hour

Sensory Awareness Activities K - 8
Students use their senses to gain an appreciation of the environment. Activities include blindfold games, drawing sound maps, colour games and the occasional tasting.
Duration: 1/2 - 1 hour

Tree Description K - 8
Students may be blind folded initially to feel the tree. They estimate the height, trace a leaf, write a poem or draw the tree to become familiar with its features. Worksheets and identification charts are available for more detailed studies.
Duration: 1/2 - 3/4 hour

Floodplain Agriculture Y3 - 12
Students walk to the Hawkesbury River and floodplains. They study the agricultural activities that occur along it, including orchards, poplar plantations and pecan, cattle and sheep farms. A visit to an alpaca farm can be included. This activity provides students with the opportunity to learn about the history of farming in Western Sydney.
Duration: 1/2 - 1 hour

Unnature Trail K - 6
This is an excellent way to introduce the terms natural and unnatural and test observation skills. A trail of unnatural objects is laid and students are taken along it to identify and list the objects that do not belong in the bush. Worksheets are available for this activity.
Duration: 20 mins - 1/2 hour

The Lookout Walk Y2 - 12
Features of the walk include vegetation studies, Aboriginal foods, bird observation, sandstone rocks, termite mounds, bush fire damage and human development. The lookout provides a majestic view over the Hawkesbury River, Brewongle and the Blue Mountains. This site is excellent for observing the river, pollution, urban development and agricultural activities. Aerial maps, binoculars, compasses and an information booklet are available.
Duration: 1 1/2 - 2 hours

Mini Trails Y2 - 6
Students discover the microscopic world around them. using magnifying glasses, string and small signs, students create a mini trail. Following the activity students show their trails to others in the class.
Duration: 1/2 hour

Alpaca Farm Y4 - 12
This visit provides students with the opportunity to understand farm management issues and observe an ecologically sustainable form of animal husbandry. Students examine items produced from alpaca wool and discuss the behaviour of alpacas and their needs. Written information and worksheets are available.
Duration: 1 hour

Ecology Y9 - 12
Students draw multi-transects and quadrants showing changes in vegetation, soil moisture, light intensity, temperature, humidity, flora and fauna. Brewongle has dry and wet sclerophyll forests particularly suitable for senior Biology studies. Equipment for these activities is available from the centre.
Duration: 1/2 - 1 1/2 hours

Orienteering and Compass Work Y4 - 12
The orienteering course highlights the natural and built environment of Brewongle. Students are provided with a compass, tape measure and worksheet. Students can also design their own course.
Duration: Long course = 1 hour (Y7 - 12), Short course = 1/2 hour (Y4 - 6)

Soil Studies Y11 - 12
Students carry out tests on soils, including texture, pH levels and temperature from several locations and compare. pH testing kits, sieves, thermometers and trowels are available for this activity.
Duration: 1/2 - 1 hour

Solar, Wind and Water Energy Y3 - 12
Students examine displays featuring solar, wind and water energy. These include a pelton water wheel, mini windmill and a solar powered waterfall and lights. Operating on site are a grid interactive solar tracker and stand-alone solar system. Following a discussion on renewable / non renewable energy, students construct their own devices powered by renewable energy forms. The course can be varied to suit particular age groups. Students are supplied with mini solar panels.
Duration: 1/2 - 3 hours

Windsor Walk Y3 - 6
The walk highlights the historical, cultural, built and natural aspects of Windsor. The walk commences at Tebbutt's Observatory and is completed at St Matthews Church. Activities on the walk include traffic surveys, studies of architectural styles, a visit to the museum, examining the service industries, a graveyard study, a visit to the wharf and a discussion on the importance of the Hawkesbury River to the development of Windsor.
Duration: 1/2 hour - full day

Cattai National Park Y3 - 6
The visit provides students with the opportunity to examine Aboriginal and early European cultures. Students visit Aboriginal rock carving, discuss Aboriginal use of the bush and examine artifacts. A tour through Arndell Cottage (1821) highlights the important elements of Australia's earliest colonial history. A boat cruise of the Hawkesbury River is available for upper primary students.
Duration: 1/2 hour - full day