Our youngest learners from Pre-K and K1 recently embarked on an exciting field trip to the Nanjing Zhongshan Botanical Garden – an experience that enriched their ongoing Units of Inquiry, “Sharing the Planet” and “How We Organise Ourselves”. The visit offered authentic opportunities for observation, discovery, and inspiration as students deepened their understanding of the natural world through real-world exploration.

At the gardens, students investigated how plants grow and adapt in diverse environments such as grasslands, rainforests, and deserts. They compared plant parts and shapes across climates, asking questions like:

• How do plants change to survive in different environments?
• Which plants might be “friendly” or “unfriendly” for our own school garden?

These investigations are helping our young inquirers develop a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of living things and the environments that support them.

Another group of Early Years students focused on designing a Bush Maze on campus, got inspiration from the pathways and garden structures they observed during their visit. By planning and constructing ideas together, they strengthen spatial awareness, collaboration, and problem-solving skills while integrating sustainable design principles.

Students also revisited the Gracillimus area to explore how plants shape the beauty and functionality of our environment. Observing textures, colours, and patterns in nature inspired artistic thinking and creativity that will inform their ongoing school project.

This engaging field trip was a meaningful extension of classroom learning in the Early Years Centre – sparking curiosity, creativity, and collaboration for our young explorers.