" Working towards the equitable, efficient and sustainable use of water, land and other environmental resources of the Queensland Murray Darling Basin "

Education Links

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 Officer, Renee 4637 6224 or reneef@qmdc.org.au.

INFORMATION FOR SUSTAINABLE SCHOOLS

Environmental Education for Sustainability - The Department of Education and Training has established a comprehensive website for schools providing a range of information on resources, competitions and awards, grants, key sustainability documents and government initiatives.

Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AUSSI) - An informative site that provides a range of information, resources (including audit templates) and case studies on sustainability education. Great links to other sites.

Sustainable Schools NSW - A very useful site that provides school case studies, a range of tools such as an online SEMP builder and audit tools, weblinks, activities and games, units of work and news and information.

Environmental Education - The NSW Department of Education and Training provides a number of useful resources for schools wanting to implement sustainable practices: The booklet, Implementing the Environmental Education Policy in Your School provides useful background information about environmental education and also outlines the process for developing a SEMP. The site also includes audit tools and activities and resources.

AUDIT TOOLS AND FOOTPRINT CALCULATORS

Eco'tude - This interactive online tool developed by the Powerhouse Museum can be used to determine your school's baseline ecological footprint and then to monitor your progress through time.

Ecological Footprint Calculators - The Victorian EPA has developed a number of ecological footprint calculators for different groups. The schools calculator is very detailed. The personal calculator has engaging graphics and allows users to create an online character.

Waterfootprint - This site allows you to calculate your water footprint based on the water you use directly and indirectly.

BIODIVERSITY

Biodiversity for kids - A hands-on Science and Technology unit that is designed to help teachers teach about biodiversity in your local environment. Students will learn about biodiversity, animal and plant habitats, ecosystems, food chains and webs and biodiversity surveys.
On Borrowed Time - A selection of enquiry-based teaching and learning units exploring key biodiversity issues. Designed for secondary students, the resource also features interactive farm and forest management scenarios.
Wild Backyards - A resource developed by the Queensland Museum for students in Years 6-9. In this ecological study, you will find out what native animals and habitats are found in your schoolyard, and how to make a digital story about them. The site also features a digital story about a backyard in Roma and has links to Education Queensland's Learning Place.
BioWhat - This is a comprehensive resource for teachers of upper primary students. The resource contains a series of lessons that cover topics such as, understanding biodiversity, surveying school yard biodiversity and taking action.
Invertebrate Key - The CSIRO has developed a simple interactive key for identifying invertebrates. The site also has other information relating to invertebrates.
About Insects - CSIRO Entomology has developed an informative site including all sorts of information about insects in Australia.
Plants - Edna has compiled a collection of resources including information on Australian native plants, the structure and function of plants and plant pictures.
Animals - This Australian Museum site provides information on a range of animals.
Birds Australia - This site allows you to listen to different Australian bird calls and also has educational resources.
Birds in Backyards - Help the Australian Museum to monitor bird numbers by participating in a survey of bird species in school grounds.
Backyard Birdwatch - An online bird identifier tool developed by the ABC to help you identify common birds in urban Australia.
Queensland's Endangered Species - A profile of Queensland endangered species developed by the Queensland Museum. The site provides facts about a range of species and threats to biodiversity.
Logs Have Life Inside - Developed for primary school students, the 'Logs Have Life Inside' music and education kit aims to teach children the message that logs have life inside. This site allows you to download teacher notes, activities and information.
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 an image and sound sharing forum.

CULTURAL HERITAGE

Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay language dictionary - an online language dictionary relating to northern NSW and Southern Queensland.
Bush Tucker Plants - a resource for students studying Bush Tucker as a Multistrand Science elective unit in Queensland Schools
Indigenous Australia - this site is written by Aboriginal people and contains information on Indigenous culture, bush foods, language, land and social organisation.
Dust Echoes - Animated dreamtime stories from Arnhem Land
Cultural heritage science activities - a range of science activities suitable for primary and lower secondary students.
Interactive Macquarie Atlas of Indigenous Australia
Edna theme page - Indigenous Australians - a collection of resources from edna that is useful for teachers and students studying Indigenous Australians and Indigenous culture.

CLIMATE CHANGE

The Weathermakers - A 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.
Teaching Climate Change - A series of teaching and learning modules for secondary students designed by the Australia Institute.
Polar Bear Animation - A short, clever animation on You Tube of two polar bears hypothesising the reasons for climate change.

ENERGY

Click to Teach - Origin Energy site covering renewable energy activities. Order a free teaching resource pack.
Energy Hog - An interactive site with information directed at students and teachers. The site encourages youth to take charge of energy waste in their own home and encourage their families to save energy.
Ergonia - An online resource by Ergon Energy including energy facts, games and activities for students. There is also some teacher information.

GARDENING

Successful Gardening - Annette McFarlane outlines the principles of organic gardening in Queensland. The site provides information on organic pest control methods, helps you to identify pests and suggests organic remedies to solve common gardening problems.
Kidsgrow - Life is a Garden - Comprehensive site providing a range of information relating to school gardens. Resources include downloadable units for themed gardens such as Australian Habitat Haven and Munch and Crunch Garden.
Flora for Fauna - Online garden design software, providing information on the best native plants to grow for various needs. Also includes information on Australian plants and animals and how to attract them to your garden.
Toowoomba Plants - A great resource to help select native plants suitable for growing in the basalt soils of inland south east Queensland.
The Gardening Launch Pad - This site features a number of links to sites covering a range of topics covering everything from curriculum links to fun gardening activities.
Gardens for Learning - This site is maintained by the Australian School Gardens Network. It provides discussion lists, video clips and a range of other tools to assist schools develop edible gardens. The site also allows you to set up an online group for your particular project.
Growing Communities - Maintained by a community-based group supporting the development of school and community gardens in Queensland. Contains a comprehensive school gardens wiki, instructional videos (via YouTube), permaculture information and many useful links.
Frogs Australia Network - Creating a frog-friendly garden - Tips and links to other sites to help you create a frog friendly garden.

WASTE AND RECYCLING

Recycling for Schools - Resources and information provided by Visy Recycling.
Recycle-more.co.uk - A British website including teaching activities and online videos for primary and secondary students. One secondary activity worth looking at is the "Packaging Audit".
Recyclezone - Features a range of activities and sections covering the three Rs, suitable for teachers and primary students
Composting for Kids - A scripted slide set written for primary students. Students use arrows to navigate through slides that outline how to set up a compost bin.
Cairns Regional Council - Includes activities for primary and secondary students on waste and recycling.

WATER USE

Water Education Toolkit- An Australian government website that provides teachers and schools with links to hundreds of water education materials through one convenient and easy to use portal.
Water: Learn it for Life! - Waterwise Education resource produced by the Department of Natural Resources and Water. Contains numerous curriculum linked activities for P - 7 students on a variety of topics including water use, water treatment, water efficiency, catchments and the water cycle.
Southeast Water - A Victorian website that includes some useful resources, links and student activities on sustainable water use.

WATER AND CATCHMENT HEALTH

Our Wetlands - a field-based research unit that explores the importance of wetlands, their role in reducing sediment and nutrient run-off to the Great Barrier Reef, and the impact of our actions on their functions. The unit encompasses all aspects of the syllabus and is a combination of classroom and field-based activities.
Bugasaurus Explorus - Interactive and informative NSW site examining waterbugs.
Stream Scene - A virtual water bug sampling activity developed by Amaroo Environmental Education Centre.

WEEDS AND PESTS

Weed Wipeout - Interactive game, weed wipeout and a variety of teaching resources on weeds. Produced by the Weeds CRC.
Feral Focus - This resource has been developed for high school students from years 9-10. The resource includes a list of activities, interactive scenarios and detailed research projects with links to current curriculum. Each activity comes with a list of further reading points and relevant websites.
Weed Warriors - A national program that provides participants the opportunity to learn about invasive pest plants through practical involvement.
Weedbusters - A national program that aims to raise awareness about the damage weeds cause. The program culminates with Weedbuster Week, in September each year. The site includes resources and activity sheets.
Educational Resources - Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries has links to a number of educational resources dealing with both weed and pest issues, including the Pest Patrol and Weedbuster programs.
Backyard Biodiversity - Provides information and activities on the economic and environmental problems caused by invasive species.

OTHER / CROSS TOPIC

Teach Sustainability - This website is a resource sharing database to support Australian teachers who are exploring issues of sustainability in their classrooms. The database allows the open and free sharing of resources that have been developed or sourced by school teachers and educators. It's a great place to share your teaching programs and resources and to gain ideas from others.
Ollie's World - This site has a number of components covering sustainability, waste, biodiversity, water, energy and air. Contains interactive programs designed for students. There is also a teacher resources section containing a range of resources to help incorporate environmental themes into curricula.
Planet Earth in Our Hands - A comprehensive resource site for teachers with a listing of links and information regarding school sustainability actions.
Department of Environment and Resource Management - A 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.
Global Education - A website providing teaching resources to support the integration of a global perspective across the curriculum. Includes information, activities and curriculum links on many different issues, including the environment, water and biodiversity.
Working mathematically in a rural context - This website has been established to provide high school teachers with a bank of Working Mathematically activities focusing on a variety of rural pursuits. For each activity you can download brief background information, photographs, teaching notes, a worksheet and an answer sheet.
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.
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.
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.
Cool Schools - Presented like a large pin-board the site covers a range of environment and sustainability topics from an Australian perspective. The site contains age-specific information for student groups from years 1-10 and teachers. Topics include transport, climate change, pollution, energy, water and biodiversity. The site currently only has regional information specific to Victoria and New South Wales but is still worth a look.
Walking School Bus - An initiative of Travelsmart, the program aims to encourage more environmentally sustainable travel options.

Field-based Opportunities

Environmental Education Centres - Amaroo EEC (Kleinton) and Columboola EEC (Miles) are Education Queensland facilities that conduct environmental programs with schools.

Toowoomba Regional Council - TRC employs both a Bushcare Officer and a Waterwise Officer to conduct environmental programs with schools.

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