
INCURSION
HOLLOW HEROES
A Hollow is a Home
Stage 2 or 3 (Years 3-6)
For over 340 Australian Native Animals a Hollow is a Home.
Presented by Abbie Mitchell, the author of A Hollow is a Home, this workshop provides understanding of how an ecosystem works as it explores the roles, adaptations & needs of an eclectic group of mammals, birds, reptiles & frogs, united in their dependence on a tree hollow.





HOLLOW HEROES INCURSION
The Hollow Heroes Incursion is a rich hands on learning experience designed to ignite interest and proactive conservation for Australian Hollow using animals. This incursion makes a fabulous support for the book A Hollow is Home however familiarity with the book is not needed as all the main themes are represented in the Hollow Heroes Incursion. The Incursion is comprised of a presentation and building workshop running to a total of 1.5 hours:
PRESENTATION
Featuring dynamic imagery, fun animation, & a display, this engaging presentation stimulates curiosity & provides clarity around essential environmental themes by using tree hollows as the common link between an eclectic range of Australian animals.
Themes covered by the presentation include:
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Growth and survival of living things (diversity, needs, behaviour, interdependence & life cycles)
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Adaptations of living things (structural and behavioural features)
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How sustainably managing environments benefit all living things
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The significant roles of different animals (such as for seed dispersal & pollination)
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Threats to our environment
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Hollow Heroes: Identifying & creating habitat for local species
Allow 45 mins (includes Q&A session & viewing display).
WORKSHOP
In this hands-on building workshop, students will work in teams to assemble 5 different nesting boxes from simple kits by using a lightweight cordless screwdriver. (Up to 4 rolling workshops across the school day).
The nesting boxes have different specifications to highlight the specific needs of some locally occurring hollow using species. Students will compare the boxes to consider how their differences make them more suited to particular species.
One assembled nest box will remain with the school. The other nest boxes will be dismantled for use in further workshops.
Following building, students will access a display including nesting boxes, hollows and scale models of select hollow using species and animal clues.
Allow 45 minutes
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
TEACHERS NOTES – Comprehensive Teachers Notes and Lesson Plans for A Hollow is a Home
SCIENCE WRITING FOR KIDS – Tips and tricks for compelling persuasive scientific communication
WATCH THE FILM – Meet some hollow dependent animals with Abbie and the Team at Taronga Zoo via this 30 minute film
INFORMATION REPORT – Complete the Information Report about the film courtesy of Taronga Zoo
NSW NESA SYLLABUS LINKS
GEOGRAPHY
PLACES ARE SIMILAR AND DIFFERENT (GE2 – 1,2,3)
THE EARTH’S ENVIRONMENT (GE2 – 1,2,3)
FACTORS THAT SHAPE PLACES (GE3 – 1,2,3)
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
LIVING WORLD (ST2-4LW-S, ST2- 2DP-T, ST3-2DP-T, ST3-4LW-S)
MATERIAL WORLD (ST2-2DP-T, ST3-2DP-T)
HOLLOW HEROES INCURSION PRICE
Hollow Heroes
$1300* per student
- Presentation for all students
- 1 nest box to keep
- Display including models
- 1 copy of A Hollow is a Home
- * Minimum $480 ($13pp above 37 students)
- Maximum 30 students per building workshop
- Maximum 4 workshops per day
- Travel costs may apply