Observatory Hill Environmental Education Centre

Leading environmental education to empower learners for a sustainable future.

Telephone02 9247 7321

Emailobservhill-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au

S6 - Global Sustainability - Tourism (Taronga Zoo)

Global Sustainability - Tourism supports the Stage 6 Geography of the same name. It focuses on a local-scale case study of Taronga Zoo as part of the broader sustainable-tourism movement. The program is a partnership between Observatory Hill EEC and Taronga Zoo Sydney Education Centre

Program dates

2024 Available Excursion Dates:

  • Thursday, 28 November (fully booked)
  • Thursday 5th December (fully booked) 

2025 Available Excursion Dates:

  • Thursday, 2oth March  
  • Thursday 8th May 
  • Thursday 22nd May 
  • Thursday 19th June 
  • Thursday 4th September
  • Thursday 27th November

Program location

Taronga Zoo Sydney Mosman

View the Google map. Please note that if arriving by ferry, buses meet ferries for transfer to the Zoo entrance. The program meeting point is the Taronga Institute for Science and Learning. 

Key inquiry question

Possible fieldwork question TBC

'Describe and evaluate Taronga Zoo Sydney's sustainability initiatives, as an example of sustainable eco-tourism'.

Key syllabus outcomes

Students will:

  • GE-12-01  analyses rural and urban places, ecosystems, global biodiversity and economic activity, for their characteristics, spatial patterns, interactions, and nature and extent of change over time

  • GE-12-02 analyses geographical processes and influences, at a range of scales, that form and transform places and environments

  • GE-12-03 assesses geographical opportunities and challenges and the role of varying perspectives and responses in their management

  • GE-12-05 synthesises and evaluates relevant geographical information from a variety of sources

  • GE-12-07 selects and applies geographical inquiry skills and tools, including spatial technologies, fieldwork, and ethical practices, to investigate places and environments

 

Geographic Inquiry Skills

Acquire quantitative and/or qualitative data and information using ethical practices by:

Acquiring geographical information

  • collecting and recording primary geographical data using a range of tools

Processing geographical information

  • Represent data and information in appropriate forms, and where appropriate, by:

    • using digital and spatial technologies

    • conforming to cartographic convention

  • Interpret, synthesise and analyse data and information using quantitative and qualitative methods to:

    • make reasoned generalisations and inferences

    • propose explanations for patterns, trends, relationships and anomalies using geographical models and theories where relevant

    • draw conclusions and predict future trends

 

Student pre-visit and follow-up activities

Successful fieldwork visits have direct links to current classroom learning. Pre-visit activities before the excursion will help students better understand their excursion content and provide connectedness and relevance to classroom learning.

Have students visit the Student Support Webite, provided on booking, and complete any pre fieldwork activities to familiarise them with the study area.

On the day activities

During the full-day fieldwork excursion, students:

  • Learn about Taronga Zoo Sydney’s initiatives, roles and responsibilities, and outcomes as a global leader in the movement towards more sustainable tourism through presentations from the Education Team at Taronga Zoo and the Zoo’s marketing department.

  • Digitally collect primary data throughout the Zoo in a collaborative project highlighting the projects and outcomes Taronga Zoo Sydney engages in/with relating to sustainable tourism.

Cost 

  • Government Schools: $25 per student (GST free). 

  • Non-Government Schools: $35 per student (GST free).