VCE Environmental Science
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Step into the role of a field scientist and investigate real-world biodiversity challenges.
This VCE Environmental Science Unit 3 program develops students’ fieldwork skills by investigating biodiversity within an ecosystem and examining human threats to native species. Through collecting primary field data and analysing secondary datasets, students explore a real Zoos Victoria conservation case study to understand how biodiversity is measured, threatened and actively managed in real-world conservation contexts.
Students will learn
- Categories of biodiversity
- How to conduct a practical investigation that explores challenges affecting biodiversity
- How to sample an ecosystem to determine whether it meets the requirements for a native species to thrive
- Impacts of human activity on the biodiversity of native species
- Real conservation strategies used by Zoos Victoria to manage biodiversity and support threatened species
- How to conduct scientific investigations and collect data, which may be used as part of school-based assessment
Support for teachers
- Great day at the zoo - access to trails and scheduled keeper talks
- Teacher resources with classroom and excursion activities
- Pre-visit information to support planning and preparation
- Opportunity to celebrate learning and become a Fighting Extinction School
Choose your zoo experience
This program is delivered at Kyabram Fauna Park and Werribee Open Range Zoo, with each offering a different focus and experience.
VCE teaching guides are password protected, with access details sent to you before your excursion or upon booking. To ensure students get the most out of their zoo experience, please bring printed copies of the workbook.
Kyabram Fauna Park
- Focus on field science skills used to measure biodiversity, including soil testing and transects in a wetland ecosystem, and a case study examining how Zoos Victoria addresses human threats to endangered species
- Introduction for groups
- Workshop (80 minutes)
Teaching guide
Workbook
Fauna Park map
Want to know more? Join an online Teacher Information Session.
Werribee Open Range Zoo
- Focus on field science skills used to measure biodiversity, including quadrat sampling in a grassland ecosystem, and a case study examining how Zoos Victoria addresses human threats to endangered and native species
- Introduction for groups arriving 9:45-10:00am
- Workshop (70 minutes)
- Safari Bus (40 minutes)
Teaching guide
Workbook
Werribee Open Range Zoo map
Itinerary for 10:10am workshop
Itinerary for 11:30am workshop
Planning your visit
The Plan Your Visit page has costings, risk assessments, payment information, travel details, sensory maps and social stories.
Your excursion will be outdoors. Please ask your students to dress for the weather.
Book your education experience
Use the online form to book your visit.
Make booking nowWhen you book, please include:
- Name of program
- Preferred date/s
- School name and address
- Contact details of organising teacher
- Number of students/classes and year level