In today’s high-tech world, many young people spend much of their leisure and learning time immersed in technology rather than nature. In doing so, they miss out on the many benefits of engaging with their natural environment.
Schools, childcare centres and universities have a role to play in helping students engage with nature. Facilitating this connection via natural replicas of plants and animals encourages young people to learn about natural history and protect the environment. Engaging with nature in this way can also improve overall learning outcomes.
Nature nurtures learning
“Research shows that engagement with nature can help enhance attention and memory in school children, which are critical for learning.” (Nurturing nature in schools for enhanced learning, University of Melbourne, 2022)
Young people are the future!
Connecting young people to nature benefits the environment and society because firsthand experiences with nature create a stronger desire to preserve the planet.
When kids appreciate the wonder of the natural world from an early age, they learn the importance of protecting vulnerable species and delicately balanced ecosystems.
Turning youngsters onto the magic of the natural world
Natureworks is passionate about the value of natural history education and nature-based play.
We research and sculpt museum-quality replicas of endangered animals, extinct megafauna and dinosaurs. Interacting with tactile sculptures like these brings natural history to life. The experience engages young people’s interest and helps them learn about wildlife and biodiversity.
Bringing nature to students (and vice versa)
It can be difficult for students to engage with the natural world from a built environment like a school or childcare centre. How can you provoke young people’s curiosity about the outside world when they spend a lot of time indoors looking at books or screens?
There are numerous ways to approach these challenges. Possible solutions include bush food gardens, mini nature trails, visits from wildlife organisations, documentaries, educational apps, and nature-themed projects that fit with the learning curriculum.
Another approach is to bring nature to the students, instead of the other way round.
Integrate natural elements into learning environments
If young people can’t (or won’t) get out and explore nature, why not bring nature to them? You can integrate natural elements into a learning or playing environment, either as replicas or the real thing. These can include animals, plants, trees, rocks, green walls, caves, murals, aquariums, themed displays and nature play equipment.
Of course, it is not feasible to plant a tree in the library, keep a wombat in the classroom or a Komodo dragon in the playground! Or is it? Yes! That’s where Natureworks comes in…
"A great way to engage students with nature is to bring natural elements into learning spaces and play areas. Realistic replicas of trees, rocks and animals are practical and cost effective as well as beautiful. They become catalysts for conversation and learning."
The beauty and practicality of natural replicas
Realistic replicas of plants, animals, rocks and other natural features are a practical way to bring the natural world into a built environment like a school, early learning centre or campus.
As well as recreating local wildlife, plants or geological features, natural replicas can depict elements from nature that are difficult or impossible to access in real life, such as dangerous wildlife, extinct animals, rare trees, or species not found locally.
Compared to the real thing, natural replicas are more accessible, cheaper, easier to transport, weigh less, and last longer. They can adapt to suit the space or purpose, are safer to interact with, and don’t require feeding or watering!
Larger-than-life experiences!
Another advantage of natural replicas is that they can be made at a larger or smaller scale.
For example, a giant green tree frog over a metre long is much more visible than a tiny life-sized frog a mere tenth of that size!
Similarly, not many interior spaces are high enough to fit a full-sized 18ft high giraffe, so we also make a scaled-down 12ft or 6ft version. They are much easier to transport and don’t require a diet of leaves from tall trees!
Nature sculptures can also be customised to suit a specific purpose or location, such as a climbable structure for a playspace or a weather-resistant sculpture for outside areas (make sure to specify the intended usage when enquiring).
Artificial trees, real benefits
Natural replicas such as artificial fig trees can have high educational value, especially when combined with mural art, native animal sculptures and nature-based teaching and learning activities. Our beautiful artificial trees have sprouted up in many school libraries, childcare centres, assembly halls and classrooms. For examples, see projects with artificial trees.
You’ll often find small animals such as a bird, spotted quoll or koala lurking in the branches of our replica trees, awaiting discovery by curious young minds!
A tree can be a dramatic centrepiece appearing to ‘grow’ into the ceiling, such as this artificial gum tree in a Brisbane childcare centre. Alternatively, a tree can seem to grow out from a wall, with mural art blending a 3D half-tree with the 2D wall surface it is mounted on (see this fig tree and mural).
Replica trees also have therapeutic value, helping to create a peaceful yet stimulating learning environment. Bringing nature’s beauty indoors has a way of relaxing people and making them more receptive to learning.
Examples of artificial trees in schools
“It’s a joy to see children sitting under a towering fig tree in their school library, listening to the teacher read a story while the kids peer into the branches to spot wildlife and let their imagination roam free."
Natural replicas of wildlife and prehistoric animals
As mentioned above, positioning small animal sculptures in or around artificial trees helps to create a more immersive nature experience. Replicas of wildlife also make excellent, much-loved additions to play spaces. They can be made strong enough for climbing on, with Australian playground certification available where appropriate.
For examples of animal play sculptures in action, see the megafauna playground near Adelaide, Hungry Caterpillar at a Brisbane school and the wide range of animal climb and play sculptures at National Zoo Adventureland. Our dinosaur and prehistoric play sculptures also remain perennially popular, stimulating kids’ imagination by depicting animals that became extinct millennia ago.
Animal replicas can also become a symbol for a school or town, such as this school’s Dreamtime serpent or the giant William the wombat in Thallon, Qld.
Examples of animal sculptures for education and play
The role of natural replicas in educational settings
- It brings nature to kids, creating a natural setting that enhances their receptiveness to learning.
- By interacting with natural replicas, kids are more likely to want to get out and experience the real thing.
Either way, it’s a win for educators, children and the planet!
Contact Natureworks today to find out more about how natural replicas can enhance your learning space and turn kids onto the magic of nature.
