Birds and Beaches, Dogs and Leashes is a day program that engages students in a real life geographical inquiry to investigate the interactions between shorebirds and people in Moreton Bay. The program prompts students to consider their responsibilities to protect other forms of life that share their environment. Pre-program activities introduce the migratory and residential shorebirds of Moreton Bay and the challenges they face. Students, invited to become ornithologists, conduct important research relating to the shorebirds.
On the day of the program students travel to Wynnum foreshore to observe the birds’ habitat and identify potential threats. Students then visit MBEEC where they discover more about the birds’ habitat needs, learn how to identify birds using their observable features and develop an appreciation of the impressive scale of the journeys undertaken by the migratory birds to reach our shores. Port of Brisbane Shorebird Roost is the final stop, where students work alongside expert ornithologists to observe and identify birds and assess their habitat. Binoculars, compasses, data collection sheets and bird identification guides are used by students to support their study.
The program concludes with a reflective discussion encouraging students to think creatively about how they can take an active role in protecting the shorebirds and the environment of Moreton Bay as ‘Champions for the Bay’.
Follow up resources are sent back with the school to support student learning in the classroom.
NOTE: Available Terms 1 and 4
Curriculum Intent
Humanities and Social Sciences
Inquiry and Skills
Researching
- Locate and collect information and data from different sources, including observations (ACHASSI053)
Evaluating and reflecting
- Reflect on learning to propose actions in response to an issue or challenge and consider possible effects of proposed actions (ACHASSI060)
Knowledge and Understanding
- The main climate types of the world and the similarities and differences between the climates of different places (ACHASSK068)
Science
Science Understanding
Biological sciences
- Living things can be grouped on the basis of observable features and can be distinguished from non-living things (ACSSU044)
Earth and space sciences
- Earth’s rotation on its axis causes regular changes, including night and day (ACSSU048)
Science as a Human Endeavour
Science knowledge helps people to understand the effect of their actions (
ACSHE051)
English
Literacy
Interacting with others
- Listen to and contribute to conversations and discussions to share information and ideas and negotiate in collaborative situations (ACELY1676)
General Capabilities
Critical and creative thinking
Inquiring - identifying, exploring and organising information and ideas
Generating ideas, possibilities and actions
Personal and social capability
Ethical understanding
Cross-curriculum Priorities
Sustainability
All life forms, including human life, are connected through ecosystems on which they depend for their wellbeing and survival
World views that recognise the dependence of living things on healthy ecosystems, and value diversity and social justice are essential for achieving sustainability
Sustainable futures result from actions designed to preserve and/or restore the quality and uniqueness of environments
C2C
HASS Unit 2 ‘Exploring Places Near and Far’
Science Unit 1 ‘Is it Living?’