Delprat Garden - School Program

Term 4, 2023 & Term 1, 2024
Years 5 - 10

Phytoremediation is a scientific term that describes how plants can be used to clean up harmful chemicals and heavy metals from the soil. The Delprat Garden is a special research project that focuses on using this phytoremediation process to improve soil quality and promote natural remediation process. The plants at Delprat demonstrates how we can use this natural and sustainable method to remove dangerous metals from the ground in an efficient and cost-effective way.

AVAILABLE DATES MONDAY-FRIDAY:
TERM 4, 2023
Week 4, Monday 30 October – Week 9, Friday 8 December 2023 TERM 1, 2024
Open Day Friday 27 October 2023 **(please confirm if you are looking to attend on this day)
Week 3, Monday 12 February – Week 9, Thursday 28 March 2024

SCHOOLS OPEN DAY PROGRAM
10am – 2pm, school groups max 20 students Delprat Garden, 133A Ingall Street Mayfield North
*One school per day

IMPORTANT
• The program is free and presented by University of Newcastle Program staff
• 8 days available across T4, 2023 & T1, 2024
• Schools limited to one booking only
• Bus subsidies $500 maximum per booking are available on request (*only available for a limited time)
• Teachers and students are to bring their own morning tea, lunch and water bottles, hats and sunscreen.

School Open Day - Program
10am to 2pm

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION TO THE DELPRAT GARDEN SITE 10.15am, 30 minutes

• History of site
• What is this project all about?

• Why is this project happening?
• What could each of you take away from this day?

MORNING TEA
10.45 am, 15 minutes

SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES
30 minutes each, 5 students per group led by UoN staff

• ARE THERE TOXINS IN THIS PLANT?
Students to see demonstrated and participate in the scientific sampling of plants.

• HOW DO PLANTS WORK?
Understanding plant biology of Delprat garden plants and what happens above and below ground.

• DISCOVER EACH PLANTS’ STORY in the Delprat Garden with an AR Augmented Reality garden trail using Iphones.

• EXPERIENCE DELPRAT GARDEN BEFORE AND AFTER using Virtual Reality headsets in Delprat Cottage.

LUNCH
12 noon, 30 minutes, after 2 group activities and before last 2.

RETRIEVAL SESSION
1.30pm, 20 minutes
Feedback, follow up
What will each of you take away from this day?

BREAKOUT SPACE
Available on Delprat Cottage verandah during your day.

School Open Day - Syllabus links
Science and Technology Stage 3 Science Stages 4 & 5

Students are able to engage with and develop knowledge and understanding of a local research site that demonstrates:

• the effects of past use of land and soils of the built environment on the present and future
• practical and theoretical evidence of application of the phytoremediation process
• how phytoremediation strategies could be applied at other garden or open ground sites
• examples of plant and soil interactions and plant biologies
• the use of scientific research methods and collection of data in a practical setting
• the potential for students to become Citizen Scientists www.citizenscience.org.au

TEACHERS PLEASE NOTE
• Bookings to be confirmed on a first in basis
• All bookings are due by Friday 13 October 2023 (end Week 1, Term 4)
• Risk Assessment for site available on request
• All Delprat Garden UoN staff have current Working With Children Clearance.

ENQUIRIES & BOOKINGS
For expressions of interest please complete the form below, or if you have any questions please send an email to delpratgarden@newcastle.edu.au or call (02) 4921 5570

Generously funded by the Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund.