INQUIRY PROGRAM
Biodiverse City
Rethink relationships with the natural world
Program Overview
As urban development continues to sprawl further into natural environments, our precious native flora and fauna are displaced and ecosystems destroyed. The Biodiverse City Inquiry Program aims to challenge students to rethink their relationship with the natural world, and to develop innovations that transform urban environments into sustainable, symbiotic systems that encourage biodiversity to flourish alongside people.
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Curriculum Links
- Science
- Technology
- Engineering
- Arts
- Mathematics
Capabilities
- Critical & Creative Thinking
- Personal
- Social
Success Criteria
- Explain the impacts of urbanisation and population growth on biodiversity
- Collaborate effectively to create solutions to identified problems
- Consider a range of tools, technologies and specialist equipment
Students will empathise from multiple perspectives to develop awareness, appreciation and understanding of threats to biodiversity and the effects of urbanisation and population growth. They will have an opportunity to work with real world data, conduct fieldwork and contribute to citizen science. Students will think creatively to generate ideas and use critical thinking and problem solving to produce prototypes that consider factors such as materials, production processes, cost, safety and sustainability/environment.
Students will be introduced to a range of prototyping technologies and techniques such as 3D modelling, digital sketching and drawing, microcomputers and coding, app development, carboard prototyping and sensor technology. The program concludes with students pitching their design solution to a wider audience and receiving valuable feedback on their product and process.
Year Level
Year 7-12
Duration
3 Day Program
Industry Focus
- Environment, Ecology & Conservation
- Urban Biodiversity
Partners
Macleod College; Stacey Warmuth, Julia Franco – Nillumbik Shire Council; Geoff Heard – Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research; Jodie Davis – Parks Victoria; Nick Carter – Deakin University, SMEC Consultancy.


Skills Focus
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Problem Solving
- Digital, Computer & Technological Literacy
Technologies Available
- Computer Aided Design
- 3D Printing
- Adobe Illustrator CC
- Coding
- Microcontrollers
- Sensor Technology
- App Development