Bentleigh West

Summary of program

The specialist program has focused on a number of topics at each level.

At Level 1 students gained knowledge about:

• where water comes from
• where it is found
• why living things need water
• the impacts of humans on waterways within the school grounds and in the local community.

 At Level 2 topics included:

• water and its place in the environment
• the interdependence of living things with water
• the importance of water for plants and the role of plants in the water cycle.  

 At Level 3 students studied:

• the science of water
• the water cycle and Melbourne’s water industry
• Indigenous water practices and compared them with current water usage
• ways that water can be conserved or reused at school.

The children investigated marine biomes, specifically, the habitats, biological communities and natural systems in which plants and animals live and the environmental impacts caused by humans. Students in Year 4 also studied water quality by taking part in the Elster Creek Waterwatch program, and then applying their skills on site at local wetlands.

 At Level 4 students:

• monitored water usage at home and by using HydroShare (i.e. a water meter data logging program piloted in 2007 by South East Water) at school
• analysed a range of water related issues and developed personal sustainable solutions which were presented to community members through various ICT presentations
• identified water sustainability issues that occur at either sporting events (e.g. the AFL Grand Final) or entertainment venues (e.g. Dreamworld). Once identified, students then used research skills to provide sustainable solutions.

 All class teachers included water related topics in their integrated studies. Teachers used a Bloom/Gardner matrix (enquiry approach) to plan, implement and assess both class and individual water education and conservation issues.

 

Outcomes of program

Our hands-on, real life water programs ensured authentic learning. Our students gained life skills, attitudes, behaviours and understandings. As well as individual personal learnings our students, through their actions, educated their parents and the wider community.

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