WilderQuest - information for teachers
'Children need nature for the healthy development of their senses, and, therefore, for learning and creativity.'
Last Child in the Woods - Richard Louv
Richard Louv , American journalist and author has coined the term Nature Deficit Disorder to describe the negative impacts for children resulting from a lack of time spent in outdoor play and a disconnection with nature. In his books Last Child in the Woods (2005/8) and The Nature Principle (2012) he suggests experiences in nature are essential for a healthy childhood and for a child’s physical, emotional, mental and social development. Further studies have shown a strong correlation between lack of nature in children’s lives and obesity, attention disorders and depression.
WilderQuest - start your adventure!
WilderQuest is a program developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), which provides a valuable classroom resource exploring rich, authentic Australian environments. WilderQuest gives you the opportunity to set challenging and fun activities to develop a student’s knowledge, skills and interest in the living world and natural environments. The program aims to inspire students and teachers to want to go outside, to learn and connect with nature.
Explore a rainforest, the coast, alpine area or a town park to find common, rare and endangered native animals. Look carefully in a variety of habitats, on the ground, in the canopy, in wet and dry environments. Search for nocturnal animals, active in the environment at night. Construct simple food chains and learn about the features of some of our animals and plants. Our Aboriginal Discovery Rangers explain Aboriginal cultural connections to country.
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NPWS school excursions offer great experiences in local bush reserves and national parks. Contact our staff at one of these NPWS locations.
Access to WilderQuest
Our WilderQuest school program is still in the pilot stage. We have been testing use of the website in schools and will continue to consult with teachers, students and curriculum support at the Department of Education and Communities. Stay tuned for developments based on this research, including additional resources, links and user friendly, age appropriate options for classrooms access.
Website
Visit WilderQuest and take your class on an exciting adventure, exploring an Australian rainforest, town, alpine or coastal environment.
WilderQuest iPad app
The WilderQuest iPad app takes you exploring in an Australian sub tropical rainforest and along the NSW coast! You can track down native animals if you listen and look carefully. Take photos to unlock some amazing facts and videos and learn about Aboriginal culture and knowledge.
For more information on WilderQuest contact us.
Feedback
We would love to get your feedback too. If you would like to contribute ideas and suggestions send us an email.
WilderQuest links to NSW curriculum outcomes for Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) and Science and Technology (Science)
Early Stage 1 | HSIE | Science |
ENES1, CUES1, SSES1 | STe-2VA, STe-4WS, STe-7NE, STe-8NE |
Stage 1 | CCS1.2, CUS1.3 ENS1.5, ENS1.6, SSS1.8 | ST1-2VA, ST1-4WS, ST1-8NE, ST1-9NE, ST1-10NE, ST1-11NE, ST1-14ME |
Stage 2 | ENS2.5, ENS2.6, SSS2.8 | ST2-2VA, ST2-4WS, ST2-8NE, ST2-10NE, ST2-11NE |
Stage 3 | ENS3.5, ENS3.6 | ST3-2VA, ST3-4WS, ST3-10NE, ST3-11NE |
Other curriculum links (130226WQcurriclinks.pdf, 35KB) including Literacy/English and Numeracy/Mathematics are provided.
Page last updated: 24 April 2013
