Become a certified Grassland Guardian!

Through a series of hands-on scientific investigations, students explore Victoria’s critically endangered native grasslands, uncover the plants and animals that call them home, and discover why protecting these unique ecosystems is more important than ever.

Students will investigate the plants, animals and ecological relationships that make this unique ecosystem so important. Working as young ecologists, students solve mystery challenges, identify native grassland species, examine real plant specimens, investigate animal adaptations, build food webs and uncover how living things depend on one another for survival.

Throughout the day, students develop observation, classification and scientific reasoning skills while exploring how grassland species have adapted to survive. They also investigate how human activities and natural events impact these fragile ecosystems and discover how conservation actions are helping to protect them.

By the end of the program, students become certified Grassland Guardians, equipped with the knowledge and inspiration to value, protect and advocate for Victoria’s remaining native grasslands.

Note:

• Maximum number of students is 100 per day.

Why are our native grassland ecosystems important, and how do the living things within them depend on each other?

No prior knowledge required.

In this program students will:

• Understand the features of a native grassland ecosystem and why it is important.
• Investigate how native grassland plants and animals have adapted to survive in their environment.
• Explore the relationships between living things through food chains, food webs and ecosystem interactions.
• Examine how natural events and human activities affect grassland ecosystems and the species that depend on them.
• Use scientific inquiry skills, including observation, classification, evidence-based reasoning and collaboration, to investigate ecological challenges.

Throughout the day, students participate in a series of hands-on investigations as they work towards becoming certified Grassland Guardians:

• Grassland Ecosystem Challenge – Compare different ecosystems and discover what makes Victoria’s native grasslands unique.
• Mystery Box Investigation – Solve interactive challenges using clues, QR codes and scientific thinking to uncover the secrets of grassland ecosystems.
• Plant Detectives – Identify native grassland plants and investigate how their roots, leaves and seeds help them survive drought, fire and grazing.
• Animal Mystery Investigation – Use evidence such as footprints, behaviour and habitat clues to identify grassland animals and explore their ecosystems.
• Food Web Challenge – Build a living grassland food web and investigate how changes to one species can affect the entire ecosystem.
• Grassland Guardian Mission – Complete a Grassland Guardian booklet, earn achievement stamps throughout the day and finish by taking the Grassland Guardian Oath to become an official protector of Victoria’s native grasslands and receive a Grassland Guardian Badge.

This immersive program supports the Victorian Curriculum by developing students’ understanding of ecosystems, adaptations, biodiversity, food webs and the effects of environmental change through authentic scientific inquiry and collaborative problem solving.

Science – Science Understanding

• Habitats can be described by their physical conditions; changing the physical conditions of a habitat, including by human activity, may affect the growth and survival of organisms (VC2S6U01)
• Organisms have evolved over time, as seen in fossils and scientific records; the structural features and behaviours of living organisms enable them to thrive in their environments (VC2S6U02)

Geography – Geographical Knowledge and Understanding

• How places and environments are changed and managed by people (VC2HG6K01)