Learning Experience tailored for:
Late Childhood to Early Adolescence (Yr 4 - Yr 7)

Description: Scientists have to get their hands dirty! Builds on Whose Poo? activity. Students use the many types of wildlife scats as a focus to identify, observe and discuss the different wildlife and habitat. Students go on a Swamp Safari to make observations of the habitat, flora and fauna. Wildlife scats are examined closely. Students are awarded with a "Poo Expert" Badge. It is recommended that this activity be combined with MudnMinibeasts, our most popular hands-on, outdoor, learning experience which can be tailored for all ages. Students armed with scoop-nets sample the living macro-invertebrates in our freshwater lake. Students then identify the living organisms. The combination of Poo Science and MudnMinibeasts creates an exciting half-day excursion that guarantees that students will continue to have good conversations about their wildlife adventure long after the event.
Key Concepts: Carnivore/Herbivore - Food Pyramids, Adaptations and Digestion Habitat/Ecosystem
Extension Ideas: Human impact on Wetlands, Superphosphate fertilizer production, Organic vs Inorganic, Eutrophication, Poo Parasites, Introduction of Dung Beetles, Waste Water/Sewage Treatment, Water Conservation, Management of Wetlands

At the end of this learning experience students will:

• Be excited to be Wildlife Warriors, protecting their native wildlife and habitat
• Be a proud, certified "Poo Expert"
• Have been immersed into the wild, touching, tasting, smelling and observing the native flora and fauna
• Understand basic feeding relationships and to be able to give examples of wetland food chains and food webs. Identify native flora and fauna of the wetland and their adaptations for survival
• Identify freshwater macro-invertebrates, have a basic understanding of their life-cycles, their importance in the wetland food web and describe their adaptations for survival
• Describe and discuss human impact on an urban wetland and wetland management practices
• Discuss how their own actions can improve wetland and wildlife conservation.