Top 10 STEM Excursions in Victoria That Align With Australian Curriculum Standards

Finding the Perfect STEM Excursion for Your Students

Are you looking for engaging, curriculum-aligned STEM experiences for your students in Victoria? As educators, we understand the challenge of finding excursions that not only excite students but also reinforce classroom learning and meet the Australian Curriculum requirements.

STEM excursions provide invaluable opportunities for students to apply scientific concepts in real-world settings, develop critical thinking skills, and engage with technology and engineering principles beyond what's possible in a standard classroom.

In this comprehensive guide, we've curated the top 10 STEM excursions in Victoria that specifically align with the Australian Curriculum standards. Each of these programs has been selected based on educational value, curriculum alignment, and positive feedback from teachers who have experienced these programs with their students.

"Taking our Year 8 students to Healesville Sanctuary's STEM program transformed their understanding of conservation science. The hands-on activities directly supported our curriculum goals while engaging even our most reluctant learners." — Sarah Thompson, Science Coordinator

1. STEM for Endangered Animals at Healesville Sanctuary

Year Levels: 5-6, 9-10
Cost: $21 per student
Australian Curriculum Links: Science Understanding (Biological Sciences), Science as a Human Endeavour, Design and Technologies

Healesville Sanctuary offers two targeted STEM programs focused on endangered Australian wildlife that perfectly complement the Australian Curriculum's emphasis on sustainability and biological science.

For Year 5-6 students, the program focuses on finding solutions for endangered possums and parrots, engaging students in age-appropriate design challenges. Meanwhile, Year 9-10 students tackle more complex problems by designing new nesting boxes for these endangered species, directly applying their scientific knowledge to real conservation challenges.

What makes this excursion exceptional is how it integrates multiple strands of the curriculum. Students develop their understanding of ecosystems and adaptation while engaging in authentic design processes that mirror professional conservation work.

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2. STEM for African Wildlife at Werribee Open Range Zoo

Year Levels: 7-8
Cost: $21 per student
Australian Curriculum Links: Science Understanding, Design and Technologies, Critical and Creative Thinking

This innovative program at Werribee Open Range Zoo perfectly aligns with the Year 7-8 curriculum by combining science with design and technologies. Students are presented with a real conservation challenge faced by the Gorilla Doctors, requiring them to apply their STEM skills to develop solutions.

The program encourages students to use creativity and problem-solving skills in a meaningful context, reinforcing the Australian Curriculum's focus on critical and creative thinking as a general capability.

"The STEM for African Wildlife program was the highlight of our term. Students were completely engaged in solving real-world conservation problems, and I could see direct connections to our classroom learning in action." — Michael Roberts, Year 7 Coordinator

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3. Steaming STEM at Puffing Billy Railway

Year Levels: 5-6
Cost: $24.90 per student
Australian Curriculum Links: Design and Technologies, Science Understanding (Physical Sciences), Mathematics

This creative excursion uses Victoria's iconic Puffing Billy Railway as a context for STEM learning. Students develop an understanding of logistics, energy sources, and technological systems by exploring how the railway operates.

Beginning at Belgrave Station and disembarking at Lakeside Station, students examine past and present design and technology systems of the railway. The program explicitly addresses the Design and Technologies curriculum by teaching about materials, tools, and innovative ideas that meet community needs for a sustainable future.

The hands-on nature of this program helps make abstract concepts more concrete, supporting students' development of STEM skills in an engaging historical context.

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4. Rainbows, Shadows & Light STEM Workshop at Scienceworks

Year Levels: 1-4
Cost: $11 per student
Australian Curriculum Links: Science Understanding (Physical Sciences), Science Inquiry Skills

This affordable workshop at Scienceworks is perfectly aligned with the primary science curriculum's focus on physical sciences. Students discover the principles of light and color through playful exploration before applying their knowledge in a design activity.

The program supports the development of science inquiry skills emphasized in the Foundation to Year 4 Australian Curriculum, including questioning, predicting, and communicating. Its hands-on approach makes abstract concepts accessible to younger students while building their scientific vocabulary and understanding.

Teachers particularly appreciate how this excursion reinforces classroom learning about light and shadows in an engaging museum environment with specialized equipment not available in most schools.

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5. Dome Experience Incursion by Science Discovery Dome

Year Levels: K-12
Cost: Contact for pricing
Australian Curriculum Links: Science Understanding (Earth and Space Sciences), Science as a Human Endeavour

The Dome Experience provides an immersive learning environment that brings space science to life for students of all ages. What sets this program apart is its explicit curriculum links and adaptability for different year levels.

This flexibility ensures that whether you're teaching Foundation students about day and night or Year 10 students about the universe's origins, the content will directly support your specific curriculum requirements.

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6. Ecosystems and Sustainability at Healesville Sanctuary

Year Levels: 9-10
Cost: $21 per student
Australian Curriculum Links: Science Understanding (Biological Sciences), Sustainability Cross-curriculum Priority

This program specifically targets the Year 9-10 science curriculum's focus on ecosystems and environmental science. Students explore the interdependence of wetland ecosystems and the organisms that rely on them, building on classroom learning in a practical setting.

The excursion provides a deeper understanding of how ecosystems function and the importance of conservation efforts, directly supporting the sustainability cross-curriculum priority embedded in the Australian Curriculum.

Teachers value how this program helps students visualize complex ecological concepts and understand the concrete impacts of environmental actions, making abstract classroom learning more meaningful.

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7. Science Workshops by Mad About Science Incursions

Year Levels: K-12
Cost: Contact for pricing
Australian Curriculum Links: Science Understanding (all strands), Science Inquiry Skills

While technically an incursion rather than an excursion, Mad About Science offers a range of STEM workshops that can be brought directly to your school. Their programs encompass biological, chemical, earth and space, and physical sciences as well as specialized STEM workshops.

These incursions are popular choices for schools unable to travel or looking to supplement classroom learning with expert-led demonstrations and activities. The programs are designed to align with the Australian Curriculum across all year levels, making them a flexible option for schools.

"Having Mad About Science visit our school provided all the benefits of an excursion without the logistical challenges. Their presenters understood the curriculum requirements and provided activities that directly supported our term's focus on forces and motion." — Lisa Chen, Primary Science Specialist

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8. Adaptations and Evolution/Ecosystems and Interactions at Moonlit Sanctuary

Year Levels: 9-10
Cost: $19.50 per student
Australian Curriculum Links: Science Understanding (Biological Sciences), Science as a Human Endeavour, Critical and Creative Thinking

This program at Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park directly addresses key concepts in the Year 9-10 science curriculum. Students explore evolution, ecosystems, and sustainability through critical thinking and ethical consideration.

The program helps students understand adaptation and natural selection in the context of Australian wildlife, bringing these sometimes abstract concepts to life. The focus on critical thinking and ethical understanding aligns with the general capabilities outlined in the Australian Curriculum.

Teachers appreciate how this excursion reinforces complex biological concepts in a memorable setting that promotes deeper understanding and retention.

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9. Skydeck Self-Guided Programs at Melbourne Skydeck

Year Levels: K-10
Cost: Contact for pricing
Australian Curriculum Links: Science, Humanities & Social Science, Technologies

Melbourne Skydeck offers self-guided programs that allow students to explore Melbourne's built environment from a unique vantage point. The program integrates multiple curriculum areas including science, humanities, and technologies.

As described in their program information: "Presentations are linked to the curriculum and can be tailored for specific selections." The flexibility allows teachers to focus on aspects most relevant to their current classroom studies, whether that's the physics of building such tall structures or the geographical layout of Melbourne.

The program includes resources for teachers to guide students in their exploration, ensuring the experience is educational as well as exciting.

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10. Ecosystems Program at Marine Mammal Foundation

Year Levels: 1-6
Cost: Contact for pricing
Australian Curriculum Links: Science Understanding (Biological Sciences), Sustainability Cross-curriculum Priority

The Ecosystems program at the Marine Mammal Foundation explores Victoria's different ecosystem types, their interconnections, and human impacts. This program directly supports the primary science curriculum's focus on living things and their environments.

Students learn about Victoria's diverse ecosystems, with a particular focus on marine environments, helping them understand the importance of conservation in their local context. The program addresses the sustainability cross-curriculum priority in a way that's accessible to primary students.

Teachers value how this program connects classroom learning about ecosystems to real conservation efforts in Victoria, making the content more relevant and engaging for students.

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Planning Your STEM Excursion: What to Consider

When selecting a STEM excursion for your students, several factors can help ensure you choose the most appropriate and valuable experience:

• Curriculum Alignment: Look for programs that explicitly state connections to the Australian Curriculum and your specific year level's content.
• Cost and Value: Consider the cost per student against the educational value provided. Some programs, like Scienceworks' Rainbows workshop at $11 per student, offer excellent value for budget-conscious schools.
• Location and Transport: Factor in travel time and transport costs when planning. Some venues, like Mad About Science, offer incursions that eliminate travel concerns altogether.
• Pre and Post-Visit Activities: Many programs offer teacher resources to extend learning before and after the excursion. Ask about these when booking.
• Student Needs: Consider your students' specific learning needs and interests when selecting a program.

"The key to a successful STEM excursion is choosing a program that connects directly to what students are learning in the classroom. The best experiences build on existing knowledge and create memorable contexts for abstract concepts." — Jennifer Williams, Education Researcher

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Booking Your Next STEM Excursion Is Easy with EdTripper

Finding and booking the perfect STEM excursion for your class has never been easier. EdTripper connects schools directly with educational providers, streamlining the booking process and helping you discover the ideal program for your students.

To explore all available STEM excursions in Victoria:

1. Visit EdTripper.com
2. Filter by subject (Science, Technology, Mathematics)
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4. Make your booking directly through our secure platform