Programs

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Indigenous Plants

Ecolinc
Full Day
Book Program
Year Levels

Background

Ecolinc is located on land originally inhabited by both the Wurundjeri and Wathawurrung people of the Kulin nation. The Ecolinc wetland features a range of indigenous plants, including plants that were originally utilised by the indigenous people for a number of uses. Various parts of the plant were used for specific purposes, for food, medicine, fibre, tools and weapons.

Many of these plants find use in modern Australia. Eucalyptus oil is a particularly widespread and familiar product derived from native trees, and many traditional food plants find use as novel flavourings in the increasingly popular “bushfood” cuisine. As these plants are particularly suited to the local climate of southern Victoria, they are easily propagated and raised, and indeed will thrive with little additional water or fertiliser.


Key Learning Question

How can indigenous knowledge of plants improve our everyday life?


Learning Intentions

In this program students will:

  • Understand the term bush food
  • Demonstrate the ability to identify a range of bush food plants in the Ecolinc indigenous garden
  • Understand how bush food plants were used as food, medicine and materials by indigenous people
  • Learn how to propagate bush food seeds and cuttings in the Ecolinc glasshouse

Activities

Students will:

  • Explore the Ecolinc indigenous garden
  • Identify a range of bush food plants and their uses
  • Discover and identify parts of bush food plants that were used by indigenous people, and experience some of the unique aromas produced by these plants
  • Propagate bush food seeds and cuttings in the glasshouse

Note:

  • This program is offered in Semester 2 only

Victorian Curriculum

Science – Science as a human endeavour

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

Science – Biological sciences

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

Science – Chemical sciences

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

Design and Technologies – Food and fibre production

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

Design and Technologies – Food and fibre production

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

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)

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).

Onsite:

☞ Indigenous Plants

Outreach:

☞ Indigenous Food and Fibre