School Education Programs-Curriculum courses from K-6

At The Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, we combine education, conservation and entertainment in an interactive learning environment for school groups from Kindergarten to Year 6. Our hands-on programs allow students to explore their curiosity and most importantly enjoy the experience of learning about Australian native wildlife, the environment they live in, and how we, the community, can be involved and take ownership of protecting their environment sustainably and ethically.

Additionally, our aim is to bring awareness to the importance of respecting our natural world alongside the community, by creating experiences that enable visitors to leave feeling fulfilled and having a newfound enjoyment of what Australia's natural flora and fauna have to offer.

As an education facility, we aim to bring awareness and knowledge to students of all ages to help them understand this imperative conservation message. With updated Sanctuary education programs that align with the NSW Syllabus and Australian Curriculum, our goal is to assist teachers and schools in meeting their learning outcomes in an immersive and memorable environment where everyone, including our natural world, benefits.

Education Programs can be booked directly on our website, or email via the form below to reserve a date.

  • Course Description

    Explore different habitats and the unique animals that call them home. In this hands-on program, students will meet animals that are considered lucky and unlucky, because their habitats are either healthy or under threat. Students will examine the threats to different habitats and inquire about ways to protect animals and their habitats by communicating ideas and identifying solutions.

    Course Details

    • STe-1WS-S observes, questions and collects data to communicate ideas

    • STe-2DP-T develops solutions to an identified need

    • STe-3LW-ST explores the characteristics, needs and uses of living things

    • GEe1 identifies places and develops an understanding of the importance of places to people

    • ST1-1WS-S observes, questions and collects data to communicate and compare ideas

    • ST1-2DP-T uses materials, tools and equipment to develop solutions for a need or opportunity

    • ST1-4LW-S describes observable features of living things and their environments

  • Course Description

    From birth through to death, all animals have a life cycle, but are they all the same? Through up-close encounters with some of Australia’s native animals, students will explore the different ways animals grow and change throughout their lives. All living creatures have a beginning and an end to their lives and experience stages of growth and change. In this program, students will explore the characteristics of living things and observe and identify the difference between life cycles.

    Course Details

    • STe-3LW-ST explores the characteristics, needs and uses of living things

    • STe-4MW-ST identifies that objects are made of materials that have observable properties

    • STe-6ES-S identifies how daily and seasonal changes in the environment affect humans and other living things

    • ST1-4LW-S describes observable features of living things and their environments

    • ST1-7MW-T describes how the properties of materials determine their use

    • ST2-4LW-S compares features and characteristics of living and non-living things

    • Living things have basic needs, including food and water (ACSSU002)

    • Daily and seasonal changes in our environment affect everyday life (ACSSU004)

    • Living things have a variety of external features (ACSSU017)

    • Living things grow, change and have offspring similar to themselves (ACSSU030)

    • Record observations accurately and honestly using observational drawings, labelling, informal measurements and digital technologies (ACSIS026, ACSIS039)

    • identify that living things have life cycles (ACSSU072)

  • Course Description

    All living things have basic needs for survival – food, water, shelter and air. This program will explore various living things including both plants and animals, their natural habitats, and learn the important role they play in our world. Students will discover what the basic needs are for all living things in urban, rural and natural habitats, and how we can help them survive. This unit aims to bring student prior knowledge to a conscious level, making explicit all the basic needs of living things. Students use the experience to draw a living thing and identify how they would meet its needs.

    Course Details

    • STe-3LW-ST explores the characteristics, needs and uses of living things

    • GEe1 identifies places and develops an understanding of the importance of places to people

    • ST1-1WS-S observes, questions and collects data to communicate and compare ideas

    • ST1-4LW-S describes observable features of living things and their environments

    • STe-4MW-ST identifies that objects are made of materials that have observable properties

    • ST2-4LW-S compares features and characteristics of living and non-living things

    • Pose questions and make observations (ACHGS001)

    • Living things have basic needs, including food and water (ACSSU002)

    • Daily and seasonal changes in our environment affect everyday life (ACSSU004)

    • Living things have a variety of external features (ACSSU017)

    • Living things grow, change and have offspring similar to themselves (ACSSU030)

    • Identify that living things have life cycles (ACSSU072)

    • Draw conclusions based on discussions of observations (ACHGS004)

    • Investigate the importance of places they live in and belong to, for example: (ACHGK002, ACHGK004)

    • identification of places they live in and belong to, discussion of why places are special and how people care for them, explanation of why people need to take care of places

  • Course Description

    Explore different habitats and the unique animals that call them home. Students will examine the threats to different habitats and inquire about ways to protect animals and their habitats by communicating ideas and identifying solutions. This program inspires students to connect with native wildlife, build knowledge and develop skills that enable them to care for the natural world. Wildlife encounters facilitated by our passionate wildlife experts will provide students with a deeper understanding of the habitat requirements of each species along with their threats and a call to action!

    Course Details

    • ST3-1WS-S plans and conducts scientific investigations to answer testable questions, and collects and summarises data to communicate conclusions

    • ST3-2DP-T plans and uses materials, tools and equipment to develop solutions for a need or opportunity

    • ST3-4LW-S examines how the environment affects the growth, survival and adaptation of living things

    • Plan and conduct a fair test to show the conditions needed for a particular plant or animal to grow and survive in its environment (ACSSU094)

    • Describe adaptations as existing structures or behaviours that enable living things to survive in their environment (ACSSU043)

    • Demonstrate safety and sustainability when choosing resources to produce designed solutions, managing constraints and maximising opportunities (ACTDEP026)

    • Evaluate design ideas, processes, and solutions according to criteria for success (ACTDEP027)

  • Course Description

    All living beings have a beginning and an end to their lives and experience stages of growth and change. In this program, students will explore the characteristics of living things by observing and identifying the difference between life cycles. Through up-close encounters with some of Australia’s native animals, students will explore the different ways animals grow and change throughout their lives, as well as exploring the various ways the environment impacts growth, survival and adaptation of living things.

    Course Details

    • ST3-4LW-S examines how the environment affects the growth, survival and adaptation of living things

    • ST3-7MW-T explains how the properties of materials determines their use for a range of purposes

    • Describe adaptations as existing structures or behaviours that enable living things to survive in their environment (ACSSU043)

    • Investigate materials, components, tools, techniques and processes required to achieve intended design solutions (ACTDEP024)

    • Produce labelled and annotated drawings including digital graphic representations for an audience (ACTDEP025)

  • Course Description

    2009 marked the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin and his theories still have great relevance today. Animals possess amazing adaptations to help them obtain food and avoid being a food source themselves. Take a journey back in time and explore some of the early evolutionary theories as you observe and interact with some of our most impressive and intimidating animals. During this hands-on program students will have the opportunity to closely analyse various animal skulls and suggest how observed animal features have enabled animals to adapt for obtaining food and avoiding predation.

    Course Details

    • ST3-1WS-S plans and conducts scientific investigations to answer testable questions, and collects and summarises data to communicate conclusions

    • ST3-4LW-S examines how the environment affects the growth, survival and adaptation of living things

    • ST3-7MW-T explains how the properties of materials determines their use for a range of purposes

    • Plan and conduct a fair test to show the conditions needed for a particular plant or animal to grow and survive in its environment (ACSSU094)

    • Describe adaptations as existing structures or behaviours that enable living things to survive in their environment (ACSSU043)

    • Investigate materials, components, tools, techniques and processes required to achieve intended design solutions (ACTDEP024)

    • Evaluate design ideas, processes and solutions according to criteria for success (ACTDEP027)

    • Sustainability

    • Design Technology

    • Agriculture

    • Geography

    • Visual Arts & Photography

    • Business and Tourism – Small Business Operation

    • History – Darwinism and Australia Megafauna

    • Wildlife Encounter Programs

Through interactive education programs, we:

  • Provide education that targets specific curriculum outcomes to complement annual teaching plans

  • Increase students’ understanding of prevalent environmental issues

  • Provide opportunities for students to relate their science-based learning with up-close wildlife encounters that engage and inspire to bring awareness and positive change to the way we view and care for the environment we live in

  • Encourage students to develop, implement and evaluate strategies for improving their local environment and habitats

  • Provide a first-class interactive educational experience in a fun, safe environment.

Educating students from a young age about our natural world and how we can protect and respect it is imperative to the sustainability of our planet, ensuring future generations continue to enjoy our incredible world.

Education Enquiry

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Promote Curiosity

At The Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, our education programs are designed to ignite curiosity and foster a deep interest in the natural world. Through interactive and hands-on activities, we encourage students to ask questions, explore their surroundings, and think critically about the environment and its inhabitants.

Our programs are built on an inquiry-based approach that challenges students to investigate how things work and understand the intricate relationships within ecosystems. By immersing them in real-world scenarios and engaging them with live demonstrations and practical experiences, we create a dynamic learning environment that inspires a lifelong fascination with nature and a commitment to its preservation.

Expand Knowlege

At The Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, our education programs are designed to significantly expand students' knowledge of the natural world and our role within it. Through a comprehensive curriculum that aligns with the NSW Syllabus and Australian Curriculum, we provide students with a deep understanding of ecosystems, biodiversity, and conservation principles.

Our programs offer a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experiences, allowing students to see firsthand how natural systems function and how humans can positively impact these systems. By engaging with our expert educators and participating in hands-on activities, students not only learn about wildlife and their habitats but also develop critical thinking skills and a greater awareness of sustainable practices.

Promotes Conservation

At The Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, our education programs are dedicated to promoting conservation values and expanding students' understanding of sustainable practices and human impacts on nature. Through immersive, hands-on learning experiences, we educate students about the importance of preserving our natural world and the critical role each individual plays in this effort.

Our programs emphasise the principles of conservation by exploring the delicate balance of ecosystems and the ways in which human activities can both harm and protect these environments. We provide students with the knowledge and tools to recognize and mitigate negative impacts, fostering a sense of responsibility and stewardship for the planet.