EDUCATION PROGRAMME :

ADAPTAtIONS

 
 

Compliments: Biology 91155 (2.3), Biology 90929 (1.5), Biology 91603 (3.3)

Guided by our Natureland Educator, students will embark on an interactive journey to explore the fascinating connections between animals, their habitats, and their amazing adaptations!

Together, we will investigate a diverse range of species from Aotearoa and beyond. Instead of just reading about adaptations, students will see them in practice—like the Kea, the world’s only alpine parrot, with its "Swiss Army knife" beak and incredible intelligence, or our Meerkats, with their "built-in sunglasses" and expert digging paws.

This session is designed to spark a sense of wonder and equip students with the "scientific eyes" needed to continue exploring adaptations for the rest of their visit!

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES 

Year 0 - 8

Students will explore some animal habitats within the Zoo with a facilitator and explore a range of animal artefacts.

Give examples of structural, behavioural and physiological animal adaptations (appropriate to level)

Make links between an animal’s adaptation and its ability to thrive in a particular habitat

Recognise how changes in a habitat can affect the animal’s ability to thrive and the role of conservation (like introduced predators in NZ or warming ocean temperatures)

 

Year 9 - 13

Students, with a facilitator, will either explore some habitats within the Zoo or interact with artefacts in the classroom.

 

Year 9-10

Give examples of structural, behavioural and physiological animal adaptations

Make links between an animal’s adaptation and its ability to thrive in its ecological niche.

Recognise and explain how changes in a habitat can affect the animal’s ability to thrive.

 

Year 11-12

Identify the animal adaptations related to nutrition in mammalian herbivores and carnivores.

Understand how animal adaptations provide advantages in relation to an animal’s ecological niche.

Compliments Biology 90929 (1.5) – demonstrate biological ideas relating to a mammal(s) as a consumer(s)

Compliments Biology 91155 (2.3) – demonstrate understanding of adaptation of plants and animals to their way of life

 

Year 13

Understand how animal adaptations provide advantages in relation to an animal’s ecological niche

Understand the behavioural strategies of animals for survival and reproduction in their environment

Compliments Biology 91603 (3.3) – demonstrate understanding of responses in plants and animals to their external environment

 

CURRICULUM 

Science – Living World

Evolution L1-2: Recognise that there are lots of different living things in the world and that they can be grouped in different ways.

Evolution L3: Begin to group plants, animals and other living things into science based classifications.

Life Processes L1-2: Recognise that all living things have certain requirements so they can stay alive.

Life Processes L3: Recognise that there are life processes common to all living things and that these occur in different ways.

 

Science - Nature of Science 

Understanding about Science, Investigating in Science, Communicating in Science.

Year 9 & 10

Science – Living World 

Life Processes: identify the key structural features and functions involved in the life processes of plants and animals

Ecology: investigate the interdependence of living things (including humans) in an ecosystem

 

Nature of Science: understanding about science

Year 11

 

Science – Living World

Life Processes: relate key structural features and functions to the life processes of plants, animals and microorganisms and investigate environmental factors that affect these processes

Biology 90929 (1.5) – demonstrate biological ideas relating to a mammal(s) as a consumer(s)

 

Year 12

Life Processes: explore diverse ways in which animals and plants carry out life processes

Biology 91155 (2.3) – demonstrate understanding of adaptation of plants and animals to their way of life

 

Year 13

Life processes: understand the relationship between organisms and their environment

 

Biology 91603 (3.3) – demonstrate understanding of responses in plants and animals to their external environment

Session duration: Sessions with a facilitator will last for approx. 45 minutes. Outside this time, you are free to explore the Zoo. Most schools plan to arrive for 9:30am opening.

 

Costs:

  • Students- 9$ each

  • Teacher/parents- 13$ each

  • Free Teacher/parent within ratios:

    • Early Learning Centers are allowed 1 complimentary adult pass per 4 children

    • Primary and Highschool groups are allowed 4 complimentary adult passes.

    • All other groups 1 complimentary adult pass per group