Students will discover the working history of the Halswell Quarry Park and investigate the different geological rock types found around the site. They will explore how the Quarry has been transformed into a regional park catering for recreational activities, alongside sustaining natural environments for native species and showcasing the multi-cultural nature of Christchurch today through Sister City gardens.
| Age/level: | Years 3–8 |
| Availability: | All year round |
| Length: | 2.5 hours (morning) 2.25 hours (afternoon) |
| Site: | Halswell Quarry Park |
| Cost: | Free |
| Number of classes: | One at a time is preferred
(one class = 35 students) |
Programme outline
Key concepts
Geological change, volcanism, quarry life, history, heritage.
Lesson description/intentions
Students will discover the volcanic history of the Halswell Quarry region and find out what life was really like for the people who lived and worked there. They’ll empathise with the hard days work required of the men in the early days. Activities during the visit will take the students through the information centre and on a walk around the crater rim.
If the focus of your visit is geology and rock types, we recommend you combine a visit to Halswell Quarry with a visit to Canterbury Museum for their ‘rocks down under’ programme. For more information contact: (03) 366 9429 ext 817.
Possible success criteria
Students may be able to:
- Name two different types of rock at Halswell Quarry.
- Name two uses for the rock that came from Halswell Quarry.
- Describe what it was like to live and work in the quarry in the early 1900's.
- Give one reason why the quarry closed.
- Name one thing they can do to look after Halswell Quarry Park.
Feedback from schools
"Great enthusiasm from educators; informative, well planned and organised, and at children’s level."
Teacher, Year 5
Learning areas
|
Nature of science | Levels 1–4 | - Investigating in science
- Communicating in science
- Participating and contributing
|
Planet Earth and beyond | Levels 2–4 | |
Level 2 | |
| | Level 2 | - Understand how places time and change affect peoples lives
- Understand how places influence people and people influence places
|
Level 3 | - Understand how people view and use places differently
- Understand how people make decisions about access to and the use of resources
|
Level 4 | - Understand how people pass on and sustain their culture and heritage for different reasons and that this has consequences for people
- Understand how exploration and innovation create opportunities and challenges for people, places and environments
|
Level 5 | - Understand how people’s management of resources impacts on environmental and social sustainability
- Understand how the ideas and actions of people in the past have had a significant impact on people’s lives
|
Nature of technology | Levels 2–4 | - Characteristics of technology
|
Personal health and physical development | Levels 2–5 | |
