Background

Ecolinc is located on the traditional lands of the Wathawurrung peoples. The Ecolinc wetland features a range of indigenous plants, many of which have been used by First Nations peoples for thousands of years. Various parts of the plant were used for specific purposes such as food, medicine, fibre, tools and weapons.

Key Learning Question

How can knowledge of native plants improve our everyday life?

Learning Intentions

In this program students will:

• Demonstrate the ability to identify a range of native plants in the Ecolinc Indigenous Garden
• Understand how native plants were used as food, medicine and materials by First Nations peoples
• Learn how to propagate indigenous plants from seeds and cuttings in the Ecolinc glasshouse

Activities

Students will:

• Explore the Ecolinc Indigenous Garden
• Identify a range of native plants and their uses
• Discover and identify parts of native plants that were used by First Nations peoples, and experience some of the unique aromas produced by these plants
• Propagate native seeds and cuttings in the glasshouse

Victorian Curriculum

Science – Science as a human endeavour

• Science knowledge helps people to understand the effects of their actions (VCSSU056 [1])

Science – Biological sciences

• Living things can be grouped on the basis of observable features and can be distinguished from non-living things (VCSSU057 [2])

Science – Chemical sciences

• Natural and processed materials have a range of physical properties; these properties can influence their use (VCSSU060 [3])

Design and Technologies – Food and fibre production

• Investigate food and fibre production used in modern or traditional societies (VCDSTC025 [4])

Design and Technologies – Food and fibre production

• Investigate the suitability of materials, systems, components, tools and equipment for a range of purposes (VCDSTC027 [5])

Geography – Diversity and significance of places and environments

• The many Countries/Places of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout Australia, and the custodial responsibility they have for Country/Place, and how this influences views about sustainability (VCGGK080 [6])

Learning Continuum

The following Learning Continuum is a guide for teachers to show the links between the programs Ecolinc offers onsite, online and through outreach. The Learning Continuum can be used to access Ecolinc resources to support the development of units of work.

Outreach programs are conducted by an Ecolinc education officer at your school. They are available to moderately disadvantaged primary schools in the Geelong, Ballarat and western suburbs areas (or within 100km radius from Bacchus Marsh).