Big Rain Coming
Learn how First Nations People’s concept of time and seasons is circular and explain how things happen in the world around them.
Early Stage 1
Science and Technology, Geography
2 hours
The Bowden Centre, Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan
Minimum charges apply. Discounts apply for full day programs!
Based on Katrina Germein’s book Big Rain Coming, students will explore how First Nations people read and understand daily and seasonal weather changes and how this affects the places and environments around us.
Students will explore different environments within the Botanic Garden to identify how nature provides clues about the changes happening in different places. Develop an understanding of time and weather as we learn to wait, watch and participate, just like Old Stephen!
Students will
- Retell the story of Big Rain Coming through drama to understand the interconnection between people and the environment.
- Discover different plants and animals that tell us rain is coming through a discovery walk in the Connections Garden – What changes do you notice? What do you hear?
- Investigate the importance of billabongs and the plants and animals that call the Garden home complemented by data collection.
- Understand different weather and climates across Australia through First Nations weather knowledge. How do different environments give us clues about the weather?
Key content
- Investigating natural features of the Garden
- Representing data and using maps
- Representing data to describe features of a place
- Storytelling and interactive play to explore weather and environments
- Developing an understanding of scientific concepts
Links to New South Wales curriculum
Focus Syllabus Outcomes
Science and Technology
- Identifies how daily and seasonal changes in the environment affect humans and other living things (STe-6ES-S)
Geography
- Identifies places and develops an understanding of the importance of places to people (GEe-1)
Students will Investigate the importance of billabongs and the plants and animals that call the Garden home complemented by data collection.
Related excursions
Experience the Garden and its fascinating nightlife on this adventure by torchlight.
Sydney Science Trail excursions are back this August. Explore the program and book your primary school class excursion for National Science Week.
Students will investigate a wide variety of local native plants that are integral in the life of First Nations peoples.