School Education

We offer a fun and interactive learning experience for students of all ages and abilities!

Over the course of two and a half hours, students will:

Learn about Australian animals and their unique habitats

Discover the threats facing our flora and fauna, and learn how to protect them

Gain practical knowledge on safely handling injured or dangerous animals

Learn the Aboriginal names of plants and animals

Plant native trees at the school, which they will watch grow as they do too

Express their creativity by creating nature-inspired art

Testimonials

Madelaine Dickason, Daycare Educator

“Lauren is an amazing and knowledgeable animal carer and educator. We’d often take large groups of children to her tours at the local wildlife park, and she always made them fun, engaging, and presented the information in a way that was accessible to everyone. I highly recommend this educational program.”

Rebecca Rowe, Parent

These workshops and events cover a great range of topics and activities that are interactive and encourage kids to connect to Australia’s beautiful wildlife. She provides an education in a fun and adventurous way that builds curiosity and confidence for kids to explore nature and better understand how to care for wildlife. I would highly recommend any of the Gaia Village events.

Ella, Macie, and Hudson, Primary School Students

“We felt like we were on an adventure during the workshop! We loved the games we played and learning about how to rescue animals and treat a snake bite. It’s a good idea for more kids to do this class so they know how to take care of animals and the planet.”

Meet Your Educator!

Lauren has been a zookeeper, wildlife carer, permaculture gardener, plant-based chef, registered nurse, and artist.

She created Gaia Village after wishing there was more support and education for people like herself, who are passionate about saving our wildlife.

She spends her time developing and delivering educational programs, the main focus of which is always joy, hope, fun, and connection to nature, self, and community.

She loves creating engaging and memorable experiences for kids, leaving them with a valuable toolkit of practical skills and a renewed love and respect for our Earth and its creatures.

 FAQs

  • Yes it does! This program will contribute to the science subjects your teachers need to deliver to students. Not only does this free up time for teachers, but also ensures that students are learning about wildlife and ecology from an expert.

    Prep to Year 2: Early learners are introduced to the basic needs of living things and the importance of caring for the environment. They'll learn about how plants and animals rely on their habitats.

    Years 3 to 4: Students' understanding of life cycles and the interdependence of living organisms will be enhanced. By exploring local wildlife and ecosystems, they'll learn how environments support diverse forms of life and how human actions can impact these environments.

    Years 5 to 6: The program deepens students' knowledge of ecosystems and sustainable practices. Through activities like habitat exploration and wildlife observation, students can learn about the impact of environmental changes on biodiversity, aligning with the curriculum's emphasis on sustainability and environmental stewardship.

    Years 7 to 8: By offering students hands-on experiences with ecosystems and biodiversity, they'll learn about the classification of living organisms, the importance of preserving natural habitats, and the impact of human activities on the environment.

    Years 9 to 10: Students are provided with opportunities to investigate complex ecosystems and the effects of climate change on biodiversity. It also supports the curriculum's focus on sustainable practices and environmental management through studying local wildlife and conservation efforts.

    Years 11 to 12: Students studying biology, environmental science, geography, and agricultural science will definitely benefit from our program.

    Biology: Supports learning about ecosystems, biodiversity, and the impact of human activities through fieldwork and real-world observations of local wildlife.

    Environmental Science: Enhances understanding of sustainability and conservation strategies, offering practical field studies that align with curriculum objectives

    Geography: Complements studies on environmental change, management, and sustainability by providing insights into local wildlife and natural resource management.

    Agricultural Science: Aligns with the curriculum’s focus on sustainable agricultural practices, highlighting the role of biodiversity in maintaining healthy ecosystems.

  • Yes it does!

    Goal 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

    We provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for sustainable development. Through hands-on learning experiences focused on wildlife, ecosystems, and conservation, our program:

    • Promotes Environmental Awareness: Educates students about the importance of biodiversity and the need for environmental stewardship, fostering a sense of responsibility towards nature.

    • Enhances Critical Thinking: Encourages students to analyse and solve real-world environmental challenges, aligning with the goal of equipping learners with the skills to promote sustainable lifestyles.

    • Supports Lifelong Learning: Inspires a deeper connection to the natural world, motivating students to continue learning about and engaging in sustainability practices beyond the classroom.

    • Ensures Inclusivity and Equity: The program is tailored to meet the diverse needs of different age groups and learning abilities, making environmental education accessible to all students. This approach aligns with the goal of providing equitable, inclusive, and high-quality education that empowers every learner.

    Goal 13 - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

    We empower students to understand and address the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and biodiversity. Specifically, our program:

    • Raises Climate Awareness: Educates students on how climate change affects local wildlife and habitats, fostering a deeper understanding of the urgency and importance of climate action.

    • Promotes Sustainable Practices: Encourages students to adopt and advocate for sustainable behaviors that mitigate climate change, such as conservation efforts and reducing carbon footprints.

    • Inspires Action: Through hands-on experiences and real-world examples, the program motivates students to take proactive steps in their communities to combat climate change, aligning with the goal of strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related impacts.

    Goal 15 - Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

    We promote the protection and sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems. Specifically, our program:

    • Conserves Biodiversity: Educate students about the importance of biodiversity and the need to protect endangered species and habitats, fostering a sense of stewardship for the natural world.

    • Encourages Ecosystem Restoration: We provide students with the knowledge and tools to engage in conservation and restoration activities, helping to halt biodiversity loss and support ecosystem recovery.

    • Supports Sustainable Land Use: Through activities like habitat exploration and tree planting, the program teaches students about sustainable land management practices, aligning with the goal of ensuring the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.

  • By the end of our program, your students will be able to tell us about our common Aussie animals, their habitats, behaviour, and diet, and the threats to their survival.

    They'll know how to help an injured animal, what to do if they see a dangerous one, and how to live alongside nature by living sustainably.

    They'll also learn some new techniques to create nature-inspired art while learning how to identify native plants.

    These outcomes are as flexible as the topics we teach - tell us what you want your students to learn, and we'll teach it!

  • Yes!

    Let us know what you'd like your students to learn, and we’ll tailor a program to suit.

    Because our team has such a wide range of knowledge and experience, we can easily create a program with a diversity of topics, or narrow it to just a few.

  • Yes!

    The 2 hour program is the minimum time we'll spend with a class, but we can add or extend topics to make it longer, making it last the whole day, or even a few.

  • This program is suitable for every year level from prep to 12.

    It is easily adapted to be understood and engaged with by kids of all ages.

  • Classes of around 30 are recommended for each session. We keep the classes small because the program is so interactive - we want every child to have the chance to answer questions and participate in activities.

  • Absolutely - no child will be left behind.

    Tell us what we need to consider about your students and we'll adapt accordingly.

  • Not much! We'll spend most of our time outside, so just make sure the kids have their hats, sunscreen, and a notebook.

  • Nope! Wild animals belong in the wild, not in schools. We will bring lots of fun tools to engage kids though, and will immerse them in the school's ecosystem.

  • No. As long as your school is a safe environment for your kids, there aren't any other considerations to make. The program has been designed with risk management in mind. We'll be talking, playing, exploring, painting, and planting trees. Your kids will be totally safe.

  • Prices for our 2.5 hour workshop are only $10 per child to learn about the wonders of our natural environment from an experienced wildlife expert.

    If you'd like each child to plant a tree, it's only $3.50 extra. These will be a selection of native fruiting and flowering trees which will feed generations of bees, birds, and butterflies.

    If finances are a challenge for your school, please get in touch anyway. We can tailor a program and price to suit your means.

  • Send us a message! Click here.

Enrich the learning experience of your students, and gift them with the inspiration and tools they’ll need to create a healthy, happy planet