Education Links and Resources

Below is a listing of links to websites featuring sustainability teaching ideas and activities. Further information and resources are available through our Landcare Discovery Centre library. For more information or assistance please contact our Education Officers, Renee (Toowoomba - 4637 6220) or Pippa (Goondiwindi - 4671 7900).

 Biodiversity

• Plants - Edna has compiled a collection of resources including information on Australian native plants, the structure and function of plants and plant pictures. The theme page is available from:
  http://www.edna.edu.au/edna/go/schooled/school_theme_pages/pid/1578
• Kidsgrow - Australian Habitat Haven - make a habitat garden in your school http://www.lifeisagarden.com.au/kidsgrow/themed.asp
• CyberRangers - online student activity site by the Environmental Protection Agency http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/nature_conservation/cyberrangers/
• Flora for Fauna - Online garden design software, providing information on the best native plants to grow for various needs http://www.floraforfauna.com/  
• Birds Australia - listen to different Australian bird calls and view educational resources http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au/

Cultural Heritage

• Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay online language dictionary  http://coombs.anu.edu.au/WWWVLPages/AborigPages/LANG/GAMDICT/GAMDICT.HTM
• Dust Echoes - Animated dreamtime stories from Arnhem Land http://www.abc.net.au/dustechoes/  
• Cultural heritage science activities http://members.ozemail.com.au/~mmichie/engaging.htm  
• Interactive Macquarie Atlas of Indigenous Australia  http://www.macnet.mq.edu.au/anonymous@FFC88160228/-/p/macnet/ia.html?

 Climate Change

• The Weathermakers - Site to accompany Tim Flannery's book, We are the Weathermakers. Includes a link to an excellent, free teaching resource on climate change, Thinking About Climate Change. http://www.theweathermakers.org/YA/index.php  
• Teaching Climate Change - A series of teaching and learning modules for secondary students designed by the Australia Institute  http://www.teachingclimatechange.com.au/

Sustainability and Cross Topic Activities

• Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AUSSI) - Contains a range of information, resources (including audit templates) and case studies on sustainability education. Great links to other sites. http://www.environment.gov.au/education/aussi/index.html 
• Eco'tude - Online school ecological footprint calculator of the Powerhouse Museum. http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/ecotude/  
• Energy Toolbox - Victorian Education Department energy teaching resources for primary and secondary students http://www.energy-toolbox.vic.gov.au/energy_toolbox/schools_information.html
• Planet Earth in Our Hands - A comprehensive resource site for teachers with a listing of links and information regarding school sustainability actions. http://www.ozprojects.edu.au/course/view.php?id=25  
• Click to Teach - Origin Energy site covering renewable energy activities. Order a free teaching resource pack. http://www.originenergy.com.au/2020/Click-2-Teach
• Teach Sustainability - A resource sharing database for teachers covering sustainability issues. http://www.teachsustainability.com.au/
• Natural Resources and Water - Range of teaching modules for both primary and secondary students are available including: Catchment management, Land management, Water cycles and catchments, and Dungbusters. Also includes links to the Enterprise Learning Project and Waterwatch. http://www.nrw.qld.gov.au/education/teachers/index.html 
• One Environment - This site is designed for 9-14 year olds and guides students through the process of building their own webpage. The site aims to develop technology literacy while learning about the environment. http://www.abc.net.au/civics/environment/default.htm
• Scribbly Gum - An ABC Online website. The site is targeted at youth and aims to celebrate seasonal events from the natural world and features stories and a image and sound sharing forum. http://www.abc.net.au/science/scribblygum/

• Queensland Youth Environment Council - QYEC provides the Queensland Government with a youth perspective on environmental sustainability. The site also features links and information on climate change, biodiversity and water resources. http://www.qyec.org.au/

• The Green Squad - An interactive, international site that guides students through the process of conducting a school environmental audit. Additional resources for teachers are also available.

  http://www.nrdc.org/greensquad/intro/intro_1.asp

Water and Catchments

• Water filtering activity http://www.nrw.qld.gov.au/waterwise/resources/pdf/activities/4_5buildfilter.pdf
• Calculate your water footprint http://www.waterfootprint.org/index.php?page=cal/waterfootprintcalculator_indv_ext  
• Water: Learn it for Life! - Waterwise Education resource produced by the Department of Natural Resources and Water www.nrw.qld.gov.au/waterwise/education/index.html
• Water Bugs http://www.bugsurvey.nsw.gov.au/ 

Weeds and Pests

• Weed Wipeout - Interactive game, weed wipeout and a variety of teaching resources on weeds. Produced by the Weeds CRC. http://weedscrc.org.au/for_schools/weedwipeout_flash.html

Unit Plans

The following unit plans have been generously shared by Wondai State School. Further sustainability related unit plans are available from Teach Sustainability.

Year 5 - How Do I/We affect the health of our planet? - SOSE, Science, Technology

Year 9/10 - Sustainable Science - Science, Technology

Year 9 - Hot, hot, hot - Science