All lessons › Surviving Australia’s extremes › Lesson 2
Australian primary science · Year 5 · Lesson 2 of 3
Born from fire
Inquiry question: How do Australian plants survive, and even use, bushfire?
Marked no materials needed
Research
What students learn
Many Australian plants have features that help them survive fire or regrow after it. Scientists discovered some of these by building on each other’s work, alongside the long-held fire knowledge of First Nations peoples.
Success criteria
- I can describe three plant features that help after fire.
- I can explain how each feature helps the plant survive or reproduce.
- I can explain how scientists built on each other’s work to discover the smoke clue.
Preparation and materials
Before this lesson: Students can explain structural features and behaviours (lesson 1).
- iPads with Bottlebrush Education open (nothing else needed) — 13 (one per pair)
- Projector or big screen — 1
Teacher setup
- Open this lesson’s student view (the fire plants source) on your screen to demonstrate.
- Check the iPads are charged.
Safety and adaptations
Follow school science and equipment risk assessment procedures for the materials used.
Review your school policies and curriculum requirements before teaching.
How to investigate
The lesson sequence should leave pupils with evidence to interpret, not only an activity to finish.
- Pairs read the source about plants and fire.
- For each plant, record its fire feature and how it helps.
- Quote a few words from the source as evidence.
- Read the smoke story and list who discovered what, in order.
- Discuss: why did the Kings Park scientists find the answer faster?
Teacher modelling prompt
Read the eucalypt paragraph. Think aloud: “Thick bark protects buds under it. Bark and buds are body parts, so this is a structural feature. After fire, the buds sprout, so the tree survives and grows new leaves.” Write the first row together, quoting the evidence.
Record and explain evidence
Recording question: How do Australian plants survive, and even use, bushfire?
| Plant | Fire feature | How it helps after fire | Evidence from the source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ________________ | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
Example recording headings; record actual observations, including inconclusive results.
Discussion prompt
Which is a scientific explanation?
Check understanding
What should pupils know? Describe one structural feature that helps an Australian plant survive bushfire.
Explain with evidence: Why might it help a banksia to release its seeds just after a fire?
Apply the idea: The smoke discovery involved scientists in South Africa, Kings Park and a university. Why do scientists share and build on each other’s work?
Teacher answer guidance and saved classroom work are available through the main lesson experience where supported.