Systems Engineering
for Conservation

Delivered in partnership with Werribee Open Range Zoo.

Protecting biodiversity is one of the most complex challenges of our time, requiring smart systems, innovative thinking, and collaboration across science, engineering, and conservation.

Systems Engineering for Conservation is a 2-day enrichment program designed for high-ability Grade 5–6 students, offering an early pathway into advanced STEM learning typically explored in Years 7–8.

Co-designed with Zoos Victoria and part of the 2026 Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series, this program immerses students in real conservation challenges and shows how technology is used to protect wildlife and ecosystems.

25 - 30 Students

Grade 5 - 6

2 Days

Locations:

Day 1: Werribee Open Range Zoo
Day 2: Wyndham Tech School

Availability:

Only 3 spots per term (set dates below).

Please reach out to us directly to discuss.

Day 1

Werribee Open Range Zoo

Students will explore the elephant habitat and observe real large-scale engineered systems used for conversation.

Focus areas include:

How water filtration systems work
Digital dashboards and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems
Real conservation challenges involving
- Plains Wanderer
- Orange-bellied Parrot
- Elephants

This day builds students’ understanding of how science, technology and engineering work together to solve environmental challenges.

Day 2

Wyndham Tech School

Students will apply what they’ve learned through a hands-on design sprint, using systems thinking to create and communicate their own conservation solutions.

Activities include:

Project pitch in the podcast studio
Idea generation and refinement with AI
Prototyping using a mix of physical and digital materials, such as:
- Cardboard and Makedo
- LEGO® Spike Prime robotics
- Motors, lights and micro:bits

This day strengthens students’ ability to think creatively, work collaboratively and apply engineering design processes to complex real-world problems.