Oral history is central to Aboriginal culture and Dreaming Stories are an integral part of Aboriginal life. These stories are used to pass on knowledge and skills to children and adults alike. During the workshop, students will listen to Dreaming Stories about various animals and learn more about the importance of these stories. They will learn about the ways in which Aboriginal People have lived on the land, using native flora and fauna to hunt and gather, making tools and shelter.

During this workshop, students have the opportunity to get up close to a range of native Australian animals and learn about their needs for survival. Students will discover some of their amazing structural and behaviour features and how these adaptations help them to survive throughout their life.

In this workshop, students will learn more about the wildlife crisis, Taronga’s response to the crisis and what we can all do to make a difference for both people and wildlife. Together, we can shape the mindset of the next generation of conservationists and inspire them to action.

Students can observe birds as they interact with each other and their surroundings at Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo. They will have a chance to meet a wide range of native animals in the workshop, examine their features and identify how they help animals meet all sorts of different needs.

During this workshop students will meet a range of native Australian animals and explore the natural areas of Taronga Western Plains Zoo to discover built and natural habitats. Students will learn how different places provide for the needs of living things and how they can help by creating habitat for wildlife.

Invertebrates are crucial in all ecosystems. In this workshop, students will explore a variety of invertebrates and meet some of their predators. They will examine their body parts, learn to identify different types of invertebrates and discover their role both at the Zoo and in the wild. Students will discuss ways to improve the bug balance of their school and home gardens.

This workshop is a unique, guided walking tour of the Taronga Western Plains Zoo site. Students will engage with Dreaming stories and cultural learnings while highlighting the strong connections between Aboriginal people and the natural world.

In this workshop students will meet a range of Australian animals and compare their life cycles. They will discover how they can support the various needs of animals as they move through the different stages of their life cycle.

In this workshop students will examine the unique features of Australian and Sumatran habitats and meet some animals that depend on these environments. Students will discover the ways people value and conserve environments, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. They will learn how their everyday consumer choices impact critical environments across the globe. While in grounds, a visit to the Wild Asian Wetlands is valuable to reinforce the concepts discussed in this workshop.

Students will learn how to calculate daily dietary requirements, track animal weight, design enclosures and locate and guide themselves around the Zoo. These resources allow students to explore the Zoo via Taronga TV from home or at school.

When designing zoo exhibits, Taronga aims to reproduce each animals natural environment. In this workshop students will learn about how the behavioural and physiological needs of an animal are the primary consideration in designing their enclosure. They will examine how animal welfare, enrichment, keeper safety, budget, visitor engagement and sustainability also significantly inform the design process and discover the range of styles that characterise modern exhibit design.

In Australian Indigenous culture, the production of food and resources has purpose and story. In this workshop, students will compare contemporary practices with traditional practices of production verses creation. They will explore sustainability through Aboriginal agricultural practices.