THE OUTDOOR CLASSROOM: Bringing Kids Closer to Nature

Kate Heywood, Head of Education, discusses the Access Education initiative, which allows school students to enjoy free excursions at Botanic Gardens of Sydney.

The recently launched Access Education initiative gives eligible schools the opportunity to participate in educational excursions in the three botanic gardens – for free. Thanks to your support of Artisans in the Gardens, Foundation & Friends were able to donate $27,000 to this important program.

Which schools are eligible for the Education Access Program?

Schools with students from lower socio-economic backgrounds are eligible. The Index of Community Socio-educational Advantage (ICSEA) is a scale of socio-educational advantage that is determined for each school. Schools with an ICSEA at or lower than 1,000 are eligible.

What kind of topics and activities are covered?

School programs allow children to learn about nature, in nature. Each program is designed to enhance aspects of the Australian Curriculum, especially Science, Geography and History. We are an outdoor education provider, so our excursions take place in the Gardens and encourage children to interact with the Living Collections of plants. Children visiting the Gardens for excursions are on the lands of the traditional custodians, and many of our excursions incorporate First Nations’ knowledges and perspectives.

Can you describe a typical excursion?

We have excursions for children of all ages from early learners through to primary and secondary students. Typically, children arrive at one of our Gardens in the morning where they sit amongst beautiful trees and plants to have their morning tea. Our Botanic Gardens of Sydney educators then lead them on an inquirybased learning experience in the Gardens. Usually the content of the excursion will enhance some of the learning that the children have been doing at school.

One of our newly developed excursions is for Early Stage 1 (Kindergarten) – Big Rain Coming. This experience allows children to discover and explore how First Nations people read and understand daily and seasonal weather changes, and how this affects the places and environments around us.

What kind of response has there been from children and educators?

Students and teachers who come on excursions to Botanic Gardens of Sydney give overwhelmingly positive feedback on their experiences. We are hoping that the Access Education program will allow even more children and teachers to experience awe and wonder at the power of plants.

Is there a part of the excursion that children particularly enjoy?

Children love learning about the different ways First Nations people use plants, from food to tools and weapons. Dip netting in the ponds is always fun; discovering what creatures inhabit the watery parts of the Gardens.

How has the funding from Foundation & Friends supported the program?

The $27,000 that was raised by Foundation & Friends will cover the cost of excursions for over 60 classes of children. That’s over 1800 children who can potentially experience an excursion at one of our Gardens – for free!