As part of our Edventure Inquiry this term, the Year 4/5 students from St Peters campus have been exploring Earth’s resources, how people use them and how we can make sustainable choices for the future. To deepen our learning, we visited the Adelaide Botanic Gardens and the Urrbrae Wetlands for a day of hands-on investigation and discovery.
At the Botanic Gardens, we participated in an Indigenous Walking Food Trail, where we learned about the deep knowledge First Nations Peoples have of Country and how they have sustainably used natural resources for tens of thousands of years. We discovered how different native plants can provide food, medicine, hydration, shelter, tools, fibre and materials for everyday living. We also learned how First Nations Peoples care for Country by understanding seasonal changes, harvesting resources respectfully, and ensuring that plants and animals can continue to thrive for future generations. This highlighted the importance of living sustainably and maintaining a strong connection with the land, waters and ecosystems around us.
Throughout the trail, we were amazed by the variety of uses that native plants have and how every resource was valued and used thoughtfully. It helped us strengthen our understanding that sustainability is not a new idea but has been practised by First Nations Peoples for thousands of years.
We then visited the Urrbrae Wetlands, where we investigated the important role wetlands play in both human and environmental health. We learned that wetlands act like natural filters, helping to remove pollutants, improve water quality, reduce flooding, and provide habitats for many different plants and animals. In growing urban areas, wetlands are especially important because they help protect waterways while creating healthy ecosystems for wildlife.
As part of our field studies, we explored the wetland environment and carried out a range of scientific investigations. We examined both macroinvertebrates (animals large enough to see without a microscope) and microinvertebrates found in water samples. We learned that a greater diversity of invertebrates is often a sign of a healthy wetland ecosystem, as different species have varying levels of tolerance to pollution and environmental change. Scientists can use these organisms as indicators to assess the health of a waterway.
We also conducted water quality testing, measuring salinity and turbidity at different locations, including near the wetland inlet and outlet. Turbidity measures how clear or cloudy the water is and can indicate the amount of sediment or particles present. Salinity measures the concentration of salt in the water. By comparing our results, we discussed what these measurements reveal about water quality and how effectively the wetland is filtering and improving the water as it moves through the system.
This excursion provided us with valuable real-world connections to our classroom learning. It helped us develop a deeper understanding of sustainability, the significance of First Nations knowledge, and the important role wetlands play in supporting healthy environments. We returned to school with new knowledge, plenty of questions and a greater appreciation for the natural resources we depend on every day.
Lisa Smith
Year 4/5 Teacher – St Peters Campus
