Plan Bee

The Sydney area hosts over 200 amazing native bee species, vital for pollination and ecosystem function.

Stimulate curiosity about these amazing pollinators in this dynamic hands-on workshop and engaging presentation aligned to meet NSW Science and Technology and Geography syllabuses for Stage 1, 2 or 3.

Please note: this is a special new program run by Kids Connecting Nature and has a different format to other Botanic Gardens of Sydney excursion programs. For each 2 hour booking you will receive approximately 1.5 hours of face-to-face presentation and workshop, and are given approximately 30-minutes for a self-guided walk of the nearby gardens to look for bees and complete pollinator-related activities. A map and activity resources will be provided for the self-guided part of the excursion.

• Participate in an interactive presentation on Australian native bees.
• Observe a fascinating collection of preserved local invertebrate specimens. using magnification before exploring the Garden to look for living pollinators 
• Work collaboratively to build mini bee hotels to take back to school.

• Understand what makes bees unique via their diversity, needs, behaviour and life cycles.
• Describe links between sustainability and biodiversity and the role that bees play in both.
• Understand the reasons why habitat for pollinators is under threat.
• Reinforce essential environmental themes appropriate for each Stage.
• Select appropriate materials to meet design criteria for a bee hotel.

Focus Syllabus Outcomes

Stage 1

Science and Technology

• Describes external features, changes in and growth of living things (ST1-10LW)
• Describes ways that different places in the environment provide for the needs of living things (ST1-11LW)
• Uses a structured design process, everyday tools, materials, equipment and techniques to produce solutions that respond to identified needs and wants (ST1-5WT)

Geography

• Describes features of places and the connection people have with places (GE1-1)
• Identifies ways in which people interact with and care for places (GE1-2)

Stage 2

Science and Technology

• Describes that living things have life cycles, can be distinguished from non-living things and grouped, based on their observable features (ST2-10LW)
• Describes ways that science knowledge helps people understand the effect of their actions on the environment and on the survival of living things (ST2-11LW)
• Applies a design process and uses a range of tools, equipment, materials and techniques to produce solutions that address specific design criteria (ST2-5WT)

Geography

• Examines features and characteristics of places and environments (GE2-1)
• Describes the ways people, places and environments interact (GE2-2)
• Examines differing perceptions about the management of places and environments (GE2-3)

Stage 3

Science and Technology

• Describes how structural features and other adaptations of living things help them to survive in their environment (ST3-10LW)
• Describes some physical conditions of the environment and how these affect the growth and survival of living things (ST3-11LW)
• Plans and implements a design process, selecting a range of tools, equipment, materials and techniques to produce solutions that address the design criteria and identified constraints (ST3-5WT)

Geography

• Describes the diverse features and characteristics of places and environments (GE3-1)
• Explains interactions and connections between people, places and environment (GE3-2)
• Compares and contrasts influences on the management of places and environments (GE3-3)