Students learn to lead for a sustainable future

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15 August 2017

The theme for 2017 National Science Week for Schools (12–20 August) is Future Earth. Many schools and organisations celebrate Science Week, theStella Maris students at Ricketts Point national program to promote science. Stella Maris School, Beaumaris, is empowering their students to learn and make a difference in the local community, and their story is featured in the National Science Week resource.

 

In 2016, students focused on improving water usage on their school grounds. Within a few weeks of starting, they were assigned to different water projects such as:

  • rejuvenating the bird bath to attract more birds to our school
  • rejuvenating the frog bog to help create a natural environment to attract local frog species to our school
  • creating signage to make students aware of what a precious resource water is
  • making storm gardens under the drinking taps to save the water wasted by the taps
  • creating planter boxes under the taps at our down oval area
  • creating a Tippy Tap to make people aware of how lucky we are to have tap water
  • weeding behind the rainwater tank
  • installing an Irrigation System down oval to save us having to water the peace garden and oval using mains water
  • repainting the planter boxes in the up oval area to make them look better
  • putting water bottles in the toilet cisterns to reduce the amount of water used when the toilet Is flushed.

Student leaders Lili and Olivia reflected on the impact the activities had on making the school more sustainable. ‘We have had some amazing results! We've had some fabulous painting done on the up oval planter boxes, storm gardens and the bird bath. The birds and frogs are already starting to move into our school. The signage is teaching everyone about how to save water and the irrigation down oval is saving us a lot of water. Weeding behind the water tank has had some fantastic results and the water bottles in the toilet cisterns have lowered the water bill. Although some of the projects haven't quite succeeded yet, we all had so much fun on our journey and we don't want it to end.’

Year 6 students at Stella Maris School continue to participate in the Tomorrow’s Leaders for Sustainability (TLfS) program, funded by Bayside City Council and delivered by Port Phillip EcoCentre, focusing on developing leadership skills, understanding the local environment and strengthening student’s connection to specific environments. This year’s project continues to strengthen the links to their local marine sanctuary at Ricketts Point.

There are a myriad of opportunities to participate in science activities throughout the year, beyond the national focus during Science Week.

National Science Week 2017 continues until Sunday 20 August.

Shelley Waldon and Matthew Navaretti, Catholic Education Melbourne
Tim Ruyg, STEM Leader, Stella Maris School, Beaumaris
Lili and Olivia C, 2016 Student Leaders, Stella Maris School, Beaumaris