‘Christmas Advent: What’s in your Backyard?’ has been developed for Years F-2 high ability students. This video conference is presented in collaboration with Australian Environmental Education.

Students will explore the diversity of animals that live in our local areas at Christmas and look for the clues that are left behind to discover more about these amazing animals.  There will be plenty of hands-on activities, live animals to see and Q&A opportunities for students. 

A short break follows Karen’s engaging workshop.   After the break an Ecolinc team member will guide students to create a 3D model of one of the flora or fauna Karen has explored.  Each child will position their model into a classroom advent calendar.  

IMPORTANT PREPARATION DETAILS:

1. There are limited numbers of tickets available.  Only ONE ticket of up to 25 high ability students per school for each event. 
2. Program flyer Christmas Advent: Backyard Christmas Challenge Flyer

How to book your group

1. Book your students into either the morning or afternoon session NOT both.
2. Tickets can be booked using the booking form on this website (NOTE: one class is for a group of up to 25 students)
3. Download and complete the attached Student details  spreadsheet and email this through to ecolinc@education.vic.gov.au

After your booking is confirmed

Please download the parental invitation and student nomination forms and distribute them to the families of the students.

• VCES Student Nomination Form
• VCES Parent Info

The Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series (VCES) is an initiative funded by the Victorian Government to extend and engage high-ability students across the state. The series provides opportunities for students from Foundation to Year 12 in Government Schools to participate in enrichment learning experiences that challenge their thinking, build advanced skills, and encourage creativity, problem-solving and collaboration. Delivered by specialist organisations and education providers, VCES programs immerse students in authentic, real-world learning beyond the classroom.

• Year Level: Year F-2
• Duration: Includes 2 workshops with a 15 minute break in between (1 hour 45 minutes)

Yes, a kit of resources will be sent to your school

No prior knowledge is required.

In this video conference students will:

• Learn about classifications in the animal kingdom
• Identify habitats and apply geographical tools for inquiry based learning
• Develop knowledge of sustainability practices and interactions between people, places and environments
• Communicate environmental ideas through 3D modelling

In this video conference students will:

• Investigate vertebrates and invertebrates
• Identify habitats, scats, tracks and traces
• Engage in field work practices and observations
• Interact with the presenter and animals live from Australian Environmental Education
• Dance to an environmental Christmas tune
• Model flora or fauna for a classroom advent calendar
• Write & present a statement about their model choice

Science – Science as a human endeavour

• Scientific knowledge is based on observations of the natural world using the senses, and scientific tools and instruments (VC2S2H01)
• Science is used by people in their daily lives, including asking questions and using patterns from observations of the world around them to make scientific predictions (VC2S2H02)

Science – Science Understanding

• Plants and animals have observable features that can be used to group them in different ways (VC2S2U01)
• Plants and animals have external features that perform different functions to enable their survival; in plants these features include roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruit, bulbs, trunks and branches while different features in animals enable them to move, breathe, eat and respond to their environment (VC2S2U03)
• Plants and animals have basic needs, including air, water, food and shelter; the places where they live meet those needs (VC2S2U02)

Visual Arts: Creating

• use visual conventions, visual arts processes and materials to create artworks that communicate ideas, experiences and observations (VC2AVA2C01)
• plan and create artworks using visual conventions, visual arts processes and materials to communicate ideas, perspectives and meaning (VC2AVA6C01)

Visual Arts: Presenting

• Present and/or display artworks in formal and informal settings (VC2AVA4P01)