Systems Engineering
for Conservation
Delivered in partnership with Werribee Open Range Zoo.
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Protecting biodiversity is one of the most complex challenges of our time, requiring smart systems, innovative thinking, and collaboration across science, engineering, and conservation.​
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Systems Engineering for Conservation is a 2-day enrichment program designed for high-ability Grade 5–6 students enrolled in government schools, 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:
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Day 1: Werribee Open Range Zoo
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Day 2: Wyndham Tech School
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Availability:
Only 4 slots per term (set dates below).
Day 1
Werribee Open Range Zoo
Students will be introduced to the concept of food webs and learn about mosquitofish, an invasive species that threaten Australia's native ecoystem, particularly the Werribee River.
Activities include:​​
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Hands-on introduction session with the Werribee Open Range Zoo team
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Safari bus tour through the savannah
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Explore the elephant habitat
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This day builds students’ understanding of conservation challenges and why it's important to work together to protect our wildlife.
Day 2
Wyndham Tech School
Students will discover how science, technology and engineering can be used to solve the mosquitofish problem.
Through a hands-on design sprint, students will create their own conservation solutions.
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Activities include:​​
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Design Thinking idea generation
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Prototyping using LEGO® Spike Prime robotics​
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Creating a podcast using professional recording equipment to reflect on key learnings
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This day strengthens students’ ability to think creatively, work collaboratively and communicate complex real-world problems.
​​2026 Dates
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This program runs on fixed dates and is available to one school per date set only.
Dates cannot be changed.
