Take Action: Unique Eucalyptus

Step 1.

Begin by posing the following questions to students:

Looking around the Australian landscape, there is one type of tree that dominates all the others. We pass hundreds of them daily, yet we hardly stop to notice. Which tree is it? (Answer: Eucalyptus trees)
There are many different kinds of gum trees, each with its own unique properties. Can anyone guess how many different species? (Answer: 800).

Explain the following:

The eucalyptus or gum tree has been a key part of our country for centuries - being used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for medicine (antiseptic and gut tonic), food (seeds ground up for damper or eaten), shade, wind protection, clothing (using leaves and bark as dye), insecticide (piling lemon-scented leaves away from camp to draw away mosquitoes), making music (didgeridoos made from the bark), weapons (spear throwers made from the bark) and canoes.

Optional: You could extend this section by sharing The Bush Apothecary presentation with students.

Step 2.

Students will now explore the features and qualities of eucalyptus trees through the following activities (choose as many that suit you and your cohort).

Activity 1. Eucalyptus treasure hunt

Resources required:

bags for collecting samples
device for research
paper
pens.

1. Invite students to see how many different types of eucalyptus trees they can find around the school.

They should take a pen and paper and write a description of each type they find, collecting samples of each of the different leaves and seed pods. Encourage them to pay particular attention to the texture and colour of the bark, the shape of the leaves, the seed pods and flowers, and the smell of the leaves when crushed.

Outdoor learning - Research has shown that spending time outdoors has many benefits for all of us, and especially for young people. For example:

Contact with nature is good for mental health - Researchers have found that contact with nature helps reduce stress and that a deeper, more active contact with nature can provide young people with calming and stabilising memories that they can draw on during stressful periods later in life.
Contact with nature is good for the mind - Research has shown that contact with nature can provide a wealth of learning opportunities and improve academic achievement.
Contact with nature is good for the body - Research has shown a link between body mass index (BMI) scores in children and their access to “green” areas and levels of outdoor play. BMI is often used by health authorities and researchers to indicate healthy weight ranges. In addition, natural environments improve balance and coordination and can have a positive impact on eyesight.
Contact with nature is linked to happiness - Research has shown that spending time in nature increases feelings of joy and happiness.

Find out more here and here.

2. When the students return to the classroom, they can use the information to classify each one. Bonus points for using Latin names!

Activity 2. Making medicine

Resources required:

1. Explain to students that they are going to make their own bush medicine; eucalyptus oil!

2. They will need to gather fresh eucalyptus leaves (check the recipe for quantities) and wash them. Place a handful into a clean jar and crush them with the spoon to release the aroma. Pour oil over the leaves to submerge them. Secure the lid and place it on a windowsill in the sun for a few weeks to draw out the oils.

3. Make labels for each jar, noting the species of gum tree and the date on which you made the solution.

4. In a few weeks, drain out the leaves and use the oil as needed.

Extension: Invite students to conduct some research into the uses of eucalyptus oil. Could you conduct some tests to see how your homemade oil compares to a shop-bought eucalyptus oil? If you find out that eucalyptus oil can be used for household cleaning, can you conduct a test to see how it compares to a standard household cleaner?

Activity 3. Eucalyptus art

Resources required:

eucalyptus leaves and seed pods
glue
paper
pencils.

1. Explain to students that they will be creating an artwork out of the leaves and/or seed pods of eucalyptus trees.

2. Gather samples of eucalyptus leaves, bark and pods.

3. Students could either:

Arrange the leaves into a design on the page and glue them.
Take rubbings of the leaves/seed pods.
Create a botanical drawing of a eucalyptus leaf and seedpod, making sure to note the species.

For students interested in attempting a botanical drawing, there is a lot of information about them on YouTube, including tutorials. For example: What is botanical art? and Getting Started with Botanical Drawing.

Meaningful Moments: Investigate Your Unique Eucalyptus Trees

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