A side angle view of a Zoo keeper talking with two teens dressed in red school uniforms in the Gorilla rainforest at Melbourne Zoo.

Food Chains and Food Webs Year 7-8

Year levels

Year 7, Year 8

Cost

See Plan Your Visit 

Availability

Monday to Friday (during school term)

Themes

Food Chains / Webs, Human Impact

Explore the concepts of ecosystems, food webs, and how humans might positively impact the living world.

Program description

This program investigates elements of ecosystems and how these elements work together to support life on our planet. Students will explore an ecosystem and food web case study to examine how these elements interconnect to support life. They will leave with the knowledge to be better custodians of our planet. 

Students will learn: 

  • To identify and describe biotic and abiotic elements within an ecosystem
  • To interpret the relationships between elements of food webs in an environment
  • How humans impact ecosystems
  • How they might have a positive effect on ecosystems

Program sequence

Before your visit

Connect   

Use the activities in the Teaching Guide (below) to spark students’ curiosity before their zoo visit. 

During your visit

Connect and Understand 

Students will explore an ecosystem and food web case study and how these elements interconnect to support life.

Your zoo visit will include: A welcome to the day (for arrivals between 9.40-10.00am), Zoo Teacher workshop (40 minutes) and keeper talks. Check out your Teaching Guide for other ideas of what to do at the zoo.  

After your visit

Understand 

Use activities in the teaching guide to deepen students’ learning back at school. 

Act 

Use the teaching guide to enable students to master their knowledge and skills in real-world contexts. 

Program maps and itineraries

Your booking confirmation email will list your group's education workshop time/s. Digital maps will be provided to you on the day.

Program resources

Your booking confirmation email will list your group's education workshop time/s. Each workshop time has its own map and suggested daily itinerary. Digital maps will be provided to you on the day.

Learning outcomes

Victorian Curriculum 7-8

Science

Interactions between organisms can be described in terms of food chains and food webs and can be affected by human activity (VCSSU093)

  • Students will explore an ecosystem and food web case study and how these elements interconnect to support life. They will leave with knowledge to support them to be better custodians of our planet

Plan your excursion 

This program is an outdoor all-weather program; the students will need appropriate clothing for weather conditions. This could include a raincoat, hat and sun protection. 

School groups will enter Melbourne Zoo via the Rail Gate entrance. Organising teachers please check in with our Admissions team upon arrival. More Information. 

Book your education experience

Fill out an online form to request a booking for your zoo education experience

Request booking now

You will need to know the following to book your zoo excursion or online workshop:

  • Education program of your choice (if applicable)
  • Preferred date
  • School name and address
  • Contact details of organising teacher
  • Number of students/classes and their year level