Primary excursions

Through plants, we create a community of people who exchange ideas, share knowledge, collaborate, innovate and celebrate our connections to the natural world through science, culture and sustainability.

We empower and support the community, inspiring and enabling a cultural shift towards environmental stewardship, connection to country and enacting positive changes to overcome the critical challenges facing our world.

Stage 5

Environmental Change and Management

GE5-3, GE5-5, GE5-7 Students will learn about the ecology of protected, remnant environments and how the Botanic Garden is effectively managing environmental change to enhance sustainability. Through abiotic and biotic testing, vegetation surveys, and a mapping exercise, students will analyse the effect of interactions between people, places and environments.

Digging Design in the Garden

DT5-1, DT5-3, DT5-4, DT5-5 The Botanic Gardens are home to a wealth of Design and Technology productions. Join one of our interactive study days where students will have the opportunity to investigate, analyse and evaluate a range of design concepts and processes, apply these to create a solution in a simple design challenge and interact with authentic designers through a case study model. Indigenous Rights and Freedoms

HT5-2, HT5-3, HT5-6, HT5-8, HT5-9, HT5-10 With a First Nations Educator, students will investigate the role, actions and influence of an individual or group involved in the achievement of the Civil Rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Along the tour, students will be presented with a range of sources to help guide their understanding of the Stolen Generations, Day of Mourning protest, rights and freedoms denied, methods used by civil rights activists to achieve change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and influence of the US Civil Rights movement to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Civil Rights in Australia.

Aboriginal Bush Foods

Students will learn about Indigenous bush foods and how these foods were used traditionally and adapted to the modern plate and palate from the Gardens’ First Nations educators. Students will explore the Cadi Jam Ora garden to learn about traditional food sources as well as how the Gadigal used them in daily life on the Harbour.

Stage 6

Infectious Diseases – Plants

BIO11/12-1, BIO11/12-2, BIO11/12-3, BIO11/12-4, BIO11/12-14 Examine a variety of plant specimens to understand the impact of pathogens and insects as well as the responses of plants to disease. Explore the ways that plant diseases spread and how an understanding of these processes allows people to control plant diseases.

Biological Diversity – Darwin Down Under

BIO11/12-1, BIO11/12-2, BIO11/12-7, BIO11/12-10 Charles Darwin visited Australia and the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney in 1836. Here he made some interesting observations about Australian plants that formed the basis of his theories of natural selection. Scientists at the Botanic Gardens continue to ask questions about the evolution, distribution and abundance of Australian plant species. Using some of this recent research, students will engage in collaborative, inquiry-based projects using critical and creative thinking to develop an understanding of biological diversity and the theory of evolution.

Book your education excursion today.

botanicgardens.org.au/learn programs.info@botanicgardens.nsw.gov.au Biological Diversity Study Days

Stage 6 Biology Syllabus for Module 3: Biological Diversity Students will examine fossils, specimens, live animals and plants to understand biological diversity by explaining the relationships between a range of organisms in terms of specialisation for selected habitats and evolution of species. This program has been developed by the Royal Botanic Garden, Australian Museum and Taronga Zoo to meet aspects of the new New South Wales Stage 6 Biology Syllabus for Module 3: Biological Diversity. Design in the Garden – Helping ideas bloom!

H1.1, H1.2, H2.1, H2.2 This interactive study day is designed to support the ideation of student major design projects through exposure to a multitude of different design stimulus, interaction with authentic designers, and coaching on ideation processes. This collaboration between the Botanic Gardens and the New South Wales Department of Education promotes understanding of the nature of design and technology, fosters innovation and evaluative thinking and provides insight on how design and technological activity contributes to the lives of individuals, cultures and environments.

SELF GUIDED TOURS

The Calyx

Explore a world of plants in the theme of our eye catching exhibition. These incredible displays will immerse students in the captivating beauty of nature with the backdrop of one of the largest vertical gardens in the Southern Hemisphere. Find out about our latest exhibition botanicgardens.org.au/calyx

PlantBank

The Australian PlantBank is the awardwinning home of plant conservation research, germplasm collection and seed storage in New South Wales. The innovative design of the building allows you to discover what our scientists are working on by seeing right into the laboratories. You’ll also get to see our brand new National Herbarium of New South Wales, built to safeguard our growing collection of over 1.4 million botanical specimens.

EVENTS WITH THE GARDENS

Reconciliation Week – May NAIDOC Week – July

Our First Nations Educators recognise NAIDOC Week and Reconciliation Week with a series of programs for students and Professional Development for teachers to deepen their understanding of culture and First Nations people from the present day and throughout history. Program details will be available on our website in the lead up to the events.

National Science Week August

National Science Week will feature a week of programs for schools at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney presented in collaboration with the Australian Museum and celebrating science, sustainability and conservation. The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan will also host school events to explore the work done by our scientists at the Australian Institute of Botanical Science and other organisations in the region. Keep an eye out on our website for the full program and booking dates. Teacher Professional Learning

The Botanic Gardens run a range of accredited and non-accredited courses for early childhood, primary and secondary teachers that are developed in collaboration with our scientists, horticulturalists, Community Greening team and First Nations education team as well as external experts including Curriculum Advisors from the New South Wales Department of Education. Our courses focus on Science & Technology and Geography syllabuses, and First Nations cultural knowledge. Courses planned for 2022 will include using the outdoors and nature as a STEM resource, building and maintaining school gardens, and integrating First Nations cultural knowledge into your classroom.

Keep an eye out on our website for the full program and booking dates.

DISCOVER A NEW WORLD

Explore a marine dream of coral, kelp and coast with Inside the Tide, our latest exhibition held at The Calyx.

Step inside this spectacular world of aquatic delights in our latest immersive exhibition. Combining the theatrical with horticulture, this exhibition creates a surreal, magical and playful display. Telling the stories of hero plants in three aquatic communities: Kelp Forests, Coral Reefs and Seagrass Meadows, wander through what feels like an under the sea experience and watch a pantomime come to life. Come face to face with giant sea creatures like the topiary blue whale, a chandelier of jellyfish or blue ringed octopus with interactive elements both children and adults will enjoy. This year’s display has also enlisted the help of hundreds of school children from across NSW, who in 2021 created Codium seaweeds when undertaking educational workshops with the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney learning about the threats to coastal environments and how to best care for habitats. Inside the Tide has over 20,000 plants on display and one of the largest living green walls in the Southern Hemisphere. Curated by the horticultural team at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and presented in partnership with Erth.

Inside the Tide exhibition concludes June 2022. Don’t miss out – book now!

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS

The Australian Institute of Botanical Science relies on the support of corporate partners, donors, volunteers, and government entities to deliver our education programs to a growing audience of enthusiastic minds.

As a global leader in science, conservation, horticulture, and environmental education we can tailor opportunities that clearly demonstrate your sustainability commitments and provide learning opportunities for the leaders of tomorrow.

Please help us share our message with potential partners to help the next generation of scientists, environmentalists, and green thumbs. Principal Partners

HSBC MetLife

Government Partner

New South Wales Government

Major Partners

Bloomberg Klorane Botanical Foundation Liberty Speciality Markets Solar Energy Enterprises

Supporting Partners

Atelier Lumira Hoselink Inspiring Australia Sowing Seeds of Hope is a Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund project through the joint Commonwealth/State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.