This lesson suits Year 5-6 students within the Science curriculum.

Students will work collaboratively to understand the meaning of ‘thermoregulate’. In groups, they will investigate and measure temperatures around their school, and research local native or culturally significant plants that cool spaces and support wildlife. Using their findings, students will identify an area of the school that needs more cooling and design a plan for a small ‘cool corridor’ or culturally significant garden. They will select appropriate local plants from their research, and prepare and plant the area as a team.

Learning intentions:

Students will:

• examine how trees and native plants reduce heat and support wildlife
• plan a garden using culturally significant or native species.

Success criteria:

Students can:

• explain the environmental and cultural benefits of planting native vegetation
• contribute to designing or planting a native garden.

This lesson was created in collaboration with Cool.org as part of the Biodiversity in Action education resources, which are hosted on their website.