Resources
ID Charts
A number of identification charts for local plants and animals that can assist you in understanding more about our local biodiversity.
Sustainable and Attainable
This South Australian site has a series of themed resources including Energy, Biodiversity, Water, Waste, Transport, and Air. Its focus is to aid schools in their journey to becoming sustainable.
www.sustainableschools.sa.edu.au/
Biodiversity Teachers notes
Biodiversity is one of those words which have crept into our consciousness since the 1980s. Biodiversity is short for “biological diversity.” Biodiversity is “the variety of all living things, and the systems which connect them.” This includes all the planet’s different plants, animals and micro organisms, plus the genetic information they contain and the ecosystems of which they are a part. This is a useful introductory guide to Biodiversity.
Biodiversity Teacher's notes (152kb PDF)
Biodiversity Web resources handout
A list of great web sites that includes teaching resources, powerpoints, interactive activities, auditing tools and plant and animal identification resources.
Biodiversity resources (119kb)
The Brush-tailed possum Game
This game introduces students to the concept of genetic diversity within a population, and why genetic diversity is important.
Possum Game instructions (315kb PDF)
Possum Game cards (421kb PDF)
The game was adapted from the Field Museum's 'The Gene Scene' game which can be accessed at http://archive.fieldmuseum.org/biodiversity/illinois_basics/Activity1-4.pdf and may only be used for educational purposes.
Birds Project
This document outlines a unit of work that uses birds to explain species diversity for students in Yr 3 and above. It aims to teach students about the variety of different birds, their behaviour and their niche in a particular ecosystem.
Birds Project Unit Notes (159kb PDF)
Bloom’s Taxonomy & Thinker’s Key classroom resource on biodiversity
Blooms biodiversity teacher notes (700kb PDF)
Ecosystems Rule OK Game
This outdoor game demonstrates the fragile, variable and dynamic nature of ecosystems.
Ecosystems Rule, Ok! (138kb PDF)
Habitat heroes
Habitat heroes is an online education game that has a biodiversity focus along with a range of other issues
www.habitatheroes.com/
Convention on Biological Diversity
The Convention on Biological Diversity has 3 main objectives:
1. The conservation of biological diversity
2. The sustainable use of the components of biological diversity
3. The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.
www.cbd.int/
Save Our Species
A large fraction of life on earth is disappearing at a frightening rate, threatening the very basis of human economies, cultures and livelihoods.
www.SOSpecies.org
Faunature
This South Austrailian site has a host of information on attracting wildlife to your backyard. It also has a variety of nesting boxes for sale.
faunature.com.au/
World Heritage Education Program
The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts has developed an Education Program for students in years 5-10 that focuses on World Heritage values and each of Australia's 17 World Heritage places. The aim of this program is to inspire students to explore our unique World Heritage listed places and develop an appreciation of heritage values. The Education Program includes comprehensive teaching resources including state and territory curriculum links, lesson plans, student work sheets and resource links
www.heritage.gov.au/education
Australian Academy of Science - Primary Connections
This site contains a diverse range of science based resources which are linked to many aspects of the school curriculum. Topics can relate to Energy, Biodiversity, Purchasing, Climate and Water.
http://www.science.org.au/primaryconnections/curriculum-resources/schoolyard-safari.html
Australia's World Heritage Places Education Program
This site contains comprehensive Biodiversity teaching resources including state and territory curriculum links, sesson plans, student work sheets and resource links. From the website teachers are also able to register to receive a free Australian World Heritage classroom poster and informative UNESCO DVD.
www.environment.gov.au/heritage/education/index.html
Australian Biodiversity
An internet WebQuest facilitating an in depth exploration of issues related to Australia’s biodiversity.
http://sydney.edu.au/science/uniserve_science/school/sciweek/2001/biodiv.html
Life Cycles - Butterfly
A web based unit of work developed by teacher and librarian Jackie Miers with background information, research and evaluation tasks and links to butterfly related fun and games activities.
www.teachers.ash.org.au/jmresources/butlifecycle/index.html
Diversity on a Plate
With this resource students learn about the diversity of plant and animal species involved in global food production and the importance of having genetic diversity within a species. In the Year of Biodiversity 2010, this activity draws attention to the role of biodiversity in agriculture and the importance of maintaining diversity in the world’s food sources.
http://www.landlearn.net.au/curriculum/click on Biodiversity click on Diversity on a Plate
Sustaining River Life - schools curriculum and activities guide
Sustaining River Life contains a range of learning activities relating to rivers. It is not a course of study, but aimed at developing a collection of good learning activities that can be used in both outdoor and classroom settings and tie into various content areas. There are 24 lessons plans grouped under the headings of river animals, plants, water, habitats and people. Each module includes information on how it aligns to Key Learning Areas in each state/territory.
www.sustainingriverlife.org.au
Reef Fishes of Conservation Concern in South Australia
The coastal waters of South Australia are home to dozens of different reef fish species. This booklet provides information about 23 of those species. Including a simple description of each species; information on the distribution and habitat, notes on the diet and behaviour; and discussion of the vulnerable characteristics of each species.
Reef Fishes of Conservation Concern in South Australia