Stage 5 - Science at the Coal Loader
Discover energy and sustainability concepts through hands-on STEM activities at the Coal Loader Sustainability Centre in this Stage 5 Science excursion.
About this excursion
STEM @ the Coal Loader’ is an S5 Science / STEM excursion that focuses on the S5 Science topics 'Energy' and 'Environmental Sustainability'. Students will visit the iconic Coal Loader Sustainability Centre at Waverton to learn about the Science topics, Environmental Sustainability and Energy. Students will participate in engaging, science-based activities that focus on working scientifically, a variety of sustainability strategies, past and alternative energy sources, and data science and urban heat.
Key Learning Outcomes
- To investigate current and alternative energy use based on ethical and sustainability considerations
- To explore a range of sustainability strategies that help mitigate human impact on the natural world
- To undertake a STEM task applying the principals and goals of sustainability to propose a valid solution to an identified school sustainability problem.
Student previsit and follow-up activities
Successful excursions have direct links to current classroom learning. Pre-visit activities carried out before the excursion will help students better understand the excursion content and provide a sense of connectedness and relevance to classroom learning.
Have students visit the Student Support Website provided on booking and complete any pre-fieldwork activities to familiarise them with the activities/topics covered.
Activities on the day
- Undertake an experiment using STELR Sustainable House kits to identify which materials provide the most effective insulation against increasing temperatures.
- Use thermal imaging cameras, infrared thermometer guns and analyse climate data to investigate the environmental issue of increasing urban heat.
- Explore the Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability's features to understand ways to reduce the impact of human activity on the environment.
- Explore a range of alternative energy strategies to investigate their effectiveness.
- Begin planning a STEM-based solution to an identified school environmental problem.
Important information
- Government Schools: $15 per student (GST-free)
- Non-Government Schools: $30 per student (GST-free)
- Schools in North Sydney LGA - Free
The Coal Loader Sustainability Centre, Waterhen Drive, Waverton, Sydney.
Buses can drop off and pick up on Waterhen Drive, or the Centre is a short walk from Waverton Train Station.
Syllabus Focus areas: Stage 5 Science
Environmental Sustainability outcomes covered:
- SC5-ENV-01 A student analyses the impact of human activity on the natural world.
- SC5-WS-07 A Student selects suitable problem-solving strategies and evaluated proposed solutions to identify problems.
Energy Outcomes covered:
- SC5-EGY-01 A student evaluates current and alternative energy use based on ethical and sustainability considerations.
- SC5-WS-01 A student selects and uses scientific tools and instruments for accurate observations.
- SC5-WS-04 A student follows a planned procedure to undertake safe, ethical, valid and reliable investigations.
- SC5-WS-07 A student selects suitable problem-solving strategies and evaluates proposed solutions to identified problems.
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About our centre
Learn how our centre helps students explore, learn and connect with nature.