Lesson summary
Students will explore culturally significant species and their importance to First Nations peoples. They will analyse a case study from an Aboriginal community working to protect a species. Students will work together to develop an infographic on a species of their choice.
Learning intentions
Students will:
- investigate how species are significant in both cultural and ecological contexts
- explore how First Nations knowledge contributes to the broader scientific understanding of biodiversity.
Success criteria
Students can:
- describe the ecological role of a culturally significant species and its significance to a First Nations group
- explain how First Nations knowledge of culturally significant species has influenced conservation science.
Lesson guides and printables
Curriculum links
Select your curriculum from the options below.
Lesson details
Skills
This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:
- creative thinking
- critical thinking
- collaboration
- communication
- community engagement
- cultural understanding
- curiosity
Curriculum Mapping
Australian Curriculum (v9.0) content description:
Year 9, Science
Students learn to:
- analyse the key factors that contribute to science knowledge and practices being adopted more broadly by society (AC9S9H03).
Year 10, Science
Students learn to:
- analyse the key factors that contribute to science knowledge and practices being adopted more broadly by society (AC9S10H03).
Relevant parts of Year 9 Science achievement standards: Students analyse the different ways in which science and society are interconnected.
Relevant parts of Year 10 Science achievement standards: Students analyse the key factors that influence interactions between science and society.
NSW Syllabus outcomes: Stage 5
A student:
- analyses data from investigations to identify trends, patterns and relationships, and draws conclusions (SC5-WS-06).
General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Digital Literacy, Ethical Understanding, Intercultural Understanding, Literacy
Cross-curriculum priority: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures, Sustainability
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium - teachers will facilitate class discussion and guide online research.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
Resources Required
- device capable of displaying audiovisual material
- student devices
- Student Worksheet
Additional Info
This lesson was created in collaboration with The Biodiversity Council.
Special thanks to our content partner, The Conversation and to The Garry White Foundation, The Hugh D. T. Williamson Foundation, Wedgetail and The James Kirby Foundation for their generous financial support.
Related Professional Learning
Beginning to Include First Nations Peoples' Perspectives in Your Classroom
Quick summary: This course aims to inform and upskill educators in incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples perspectives.
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