Book a facilitated excursion
The Coal Loader offers a range of full-day, teacher-led, Stage 2 and Stage 3 Science and Geography Excursions that are fully curriculum linked.
Schools within the North Sydney LGA can partake in these excursions for free. Out-of-area schools cost $15 per student.
Students will engage in unique, fun, hands-on activities across the iconic site, focusing on the sustainability features of the centre and linked to the following topics:
Stage 2 Geography: The Earth’s Environment
Excursion activities include: Map and compass use to locate human and natural features, weather data collection using scientific equipment, an introduction to sustainability definitions and examples, musical peer interviews about sustainability, “I Spy” around the Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability and parachute games.
Key Inquiry Questions
- How does the environment support the lives of people and other living things?
- How do different views about the environment influence approaches to sustainability?
- How can people use places and environments more sustainably?
Outcomes
A student:
- examines features and characteristics of places and environments GE2-1
- describes the ways people, places and environments interact GE2-2
- examines differing perceptions about the management of places and environments GE2-3
- acquires and communicates geographical information using geographical tools for inquiry GE2-4
Stage 2 Science and Technology: Living World
Excursion activities include: Exploration walk searching for living things, introduction to frogs and frogs life cycle, structural and behavioural adaptation, food web wide game, investigation of the wetland and an assessment if the Striped Marsh Frog live would there, data collection including dip netting and invertebrate tree shakes.
Key inquiry questions
- How do physical conditions affect the survival of living things?
- How do the structural and behavioural features of living things support survival?
Outcomes
A student:
- plans and conducts scientific investigations to answer testable questions, and collects and summarises data to communicate conclusions ST3-1WS-S
- examines how the environment affects the growth, survival and adaptation of living things ST3-4LW-S
Stage 3 Science and Technology: Physical World
Excursion activities include: An introduction to solar energy through building and racing solar powered cars, investigative artwork to demonstrate how plants use the sun’s energy, experimenting with sunlight to create heat to cook a marshmallow in a pizza box and a scavenger hunt to collect data of sustainable energy features available for houses.
Key Inquiry Questions
- How do light, heat and electrical energy make things happen?
- How can we use forces and energy in a product or system?
Outcomes
A student:
- ST2-8PW-ST describes the characteristics and effects of common forms of energy, such as light and heat
- ST2-1WS-S questions, plans and conducts scientific investigations, collects and summarises data and communicates using scientific representations
- ST2-3DP-T defines problems, describes and follows algorithms to develop solutions
Stage 3 Geography: Factors that Shape Places
Excursion activities include: investigating a wetland area, its function and the biodiversity through observations; analysing what waste is, how it impacts our environment and solutions like a circular economy for products; using ID charts to observe pollinators and support biodiversity by creating pollinator seed bombs and water stands; and redesigning a home to incorporate environmentally sustainable features.
Key Inquiry Questions
- How do people and environments influence one another?
- How do people influence places and the management of spaces within them?
Outcomes
A student:
- describes the diverse features and characteristics of places and environments GE3-1
- explains interactions and connections between people, places and environments GE3-2
- compares and contrasts influences on the management of places and environments GE3-3
- acquires, processes and communicates geographical information using geographical tools for inquiry GE3-4
Schedule
|
10am |
Arrive, toilets, introduction |
|
10.15-11am |
Session 1 |
|
11-11.15am |
Morning tea |
|
11.15-12pm |
Session 2 |
|
12-12.45pm |
Session 3 |
|
12.45-1.15pm |
Lunch |
|
1.15-2pm |
Session 4 |
|
2pm |
Walk to buses |
Risk Assessment and permission form can be provided.
Excursions for Stages 4-5 are currently being developed and are earmarked for rollout at the end of 2025.
If you’d like to find out more information, please contact our team: coalloader@northsydney.nsw.gov.au
To book, please complete our booking form: