Biological Diversity Study Days

This engaging full day program has been developed by the Australian Museum, the Botanic Gardens of Sydney and Taronga Zoo. 

Students will examine fossils, specimens, live animals and plants to understand biological diversity by explaining the relationships between a range of organisms in terms of specialisation for selected habitats and evolution of species.

This program has been developed by the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, Australian Museum and Taronga Zoo to meet aspects of the New South Wales Stage 6 Biology Syllabus for Module 3: Biological Diversity. The program takes place in five locations around New South Wales. Read more about each location, find a program date and book a session on the Australian Museum website.

The study day comprises 3 or 4 educator-led sessions of 60-75 minutes each depending on location.

Botanic Gardens of Sydney educator-led session where students engage in field work using the site’s Eucalypt specimens to examine the role of divergent evolution in biological diversity. In learning about the way plant species are identified and classified and observing their adaptations, students develop an understanding of biological diversity and the theory of evolution.

Taronga Zoo educator-led session provides students the opportunity to engage with live animals while learning about the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection. They will explore the impacts that selection pressures have on population dynamics. Students will discover how adaptations increase an organism’s chance of survival while interacting with a selection of Australian animals.

Australian Museum educator-led session where students investigate fossils, skeletons and DNA data from Australian animals to learn how comparative anatomy and genetics support the Theory of Evolution.

Australian Museum self-led session where students will be given an inquiry-based task centred in the Wild Planet exhibition. The task will require students to use deductive reasoning and their working scientifically skills to investigate extinct and extant specimens.