Forces: Push and Pull
Stage 1
Science Excursion
This fast-paced forces-and-motion excursion lets students experiment with how pushes and pulls change the way objects move. Through simple investigations, they test how force can start, stop, speed up or change direction!
Students rotate through high-energy activities: launching air rockets, creating exploding water bags, competing in tug-of-war, making slime, and racing our speedy billycarts. Along the way, they compare different surfaces and materials to see what moves best and why.
A hands-on adventure where movement takes centre stage, it’s learning that really gets things moving!
10:00am – 2:00pm (4 hours)
Arrival at 10:00am
10:00am – 10:25am
Arrival, morning tea, and a toilet break.
10:25am – 10:55am
A lively science show where students see pushes, pulls, and pressure in action as liquid nitrogen makes materials freeze, crack and change movement in surprising ways.
Students are then divided into groups of approx. 35, each led by a Ranger, and rotate through the push-and-pull activities below.
10:55am – 11:30am – Slime Crafting
Students create gooey oobleck and test how different pushes and pulls make it stretch, squish and flow.
11:30am – 12:00pm- Air Rocket Building
Students design air-powered rockets and discover how a single strong push can launch them high into the sky.
12:00pm – 12:30pm – Lunch & Toilet Break
12:30pm – 1:10pm – Exploding Water Bags + Tug O’ War
Students investigate force and pressure through exploding water bags, then put push and pull forces to the test in a classic tug-of-war challenge.
1:10pm – 1:50pm – Billycart Championship
Students explore how pushes, pulls, friction and surface affect movement as they twist, turn and race their billycarts.
1:50pm – Wrap-Up & Final Bathroom Break
2:00pm – Departure
A big Ranger Jamie waves goodbye… and a chorus of “Do we have to leave?”
Please note: Times may vary slightly on the day. This schedule is a guide only.
ST1-SCI-01 measures and describes changes in living things, materials, movement, Earth and the sky;
ST1-PQU-01 poses questions based on observations and information to investigate cause and effect;
ST1-DAT-01 collects, represents and uses data to identify patterns and relationships;
ST1-DDT-01 uses technologies and materials to design and make products to address user needs or opportunities;
ST1-PQU-01 poses questions based on observations and information to investigate cause and effect.
Forces can change the way objects move
- Recognise that a force is a push or a pull that can make things either start moving, stop moving, change speed, direction or shape
- Pose questions and test the effects of forces on an object’s movement
- Investigate how applied forces change the movement of traditional toys and tools used by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples
- Test how frictional forces affect moving objects
- Test how the force of magnetism affects objects
North Sydney
- Clifton Gardens Chowder Bay Mosman
- Berry Island Reserve
- Balmoral Beach, Mosman
- Clontarf Reserve, Manly
- Fagan Park
- Putney Park
- Wahroonga Park
Eastern Suburbs
- Cromwell Park South, Malabar
- Mutch Park, Pagewood
- Yarra Bay Bicentennial Park, Botany
Inner West
- Cabarita Park
- Glebe Foreshore Parks
- Rozelle Parklands
- Sydney Park, Alexandria
South Sydney
- Carss Park Bush Flat
- Gunnamatta Park Cronulla
- Bonna Point Reserve, Kurnell
- Cooper St Park, Engadine
- Cook Reserve, Ruse
- Pine Park, Sans Souci
Western Sydney
- Lizard Log, Western Sydney Parklands
- Nurragingy Reserve, Doonside
- Plough and Harrow, Western Sydney Parklands
- The Dairy, Western Sydney Parklands
- bungarribee park, Sydney Parklands
Illawarra
- Stanwell Park Beach Reserve
- Shellharbour South Beach
- Stuart Park, Wollongong
Newcastle, Central Coast & Hunter Valley
- Brickworks Park
- Foreshore Park
- Poppet Head Park
- Richley Reserve
- Swadling Reserve
- Lions Park, Woy Woy
- Speers Point Park
- Tanilba Bay
The cost of this exciting adventure is $24.00 + GST per student.
(Minimum charge x35)
This price includes:
- A fully guided full day with our enthusiastic and knowledgeable Rangers
(Think Steve Irwin meets the Ranger Jamie crew!); - A pre-completed Risk Assessment, making your planning a whole lot easier;
- Assistance sourcing bus quotes, so you’re not chasing bus companies all afternoon
- All equipment and materials provided;
- A syllabus-aligned program, thoughtfully designed to support real learning while keeping the day fun and engaging.
Choose Your Date
Step 1 of 3
Please note this is a tentative booking. After your booking request is submitted, we will be in touch via email to confirm the requested date and arrange the final details for the booking.
All prices are +GST. As this program is an educational service, all GST charged can be reimbursed in its entirety by the Government.
FAQS
How many teachers/helpers do I need on my excursion?
The more grown-up sidekicks, the better! We recommend at least one teacher/parent helper per class. No extra cost for teachers or parent helpers on this program.
What equipment/ materials do we need to bring?
Students should bring morning tea, lunch, water bottles, and any required medication. We suggest sports uniforms and comfortable shoes. We supply all the materials and equipment needed for your day.
What is the weather weather policy?
You can view our full policy here
We’re flexible and happy to arrange an incursion alternative or, where needed, postpone your program.
How many groups will my students be in?
We usually plan for one Ranger per 35-40 students. On the day, your students will be split into groups of that size, with a Ranger assigned to each group to guide them as they rotate through the activities.