Regional education programs
Use these Waterwatch resources to support your school's delivery of water and catchment themed activities in the classroom.
River and Estuary Detectives
Across the state of Victoria there are Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) delivering the River and Estuary Detectives program, which is suitable for primary or secondary students. To find out if your region is participating, please contact riverdetectives@nccma.vic.gov.au.
The River and Estuary Detectives program supports educators to get out and explore local waterways and catchments with students with hands on activities and resources to support them.
Being involved in River and Estuary Detectives gives you access to:
- A water monitoring kit for your group for the year – it allows you to measure temperature, electrical conductivity, turbidity, pH and reactive phosphate
- Ability to record and explore data through an interactive website
- How-to guides, resources and activities linked to the Victorian Curriculum (Geography, Mathematics, Science, Sustainability and more)
There are two professional development sessions to help you run the activities in the classroom
- Workshop One (March) – Introduction to water science and recording your data
- Workshop Two (September) – Discovering the world of water bugs
Registrations for the 2017 school year are now open! Access a registration form by contacting riverdetectives@nccma.vic.gov.au. Registrations close Friday 9 December, 2016..
River Detectives information booklet
River Detectives - Teacher Manual
River Detectives - Student Workbook
River Detectives testing chart
Statewide education resources
Waterwatch Victoria and regional programs develop a range of resources to support environmental educators.
Produced in 2005, Run of the River is an interactive board game designed for upper secondary students to help convey understandings about environmental flow issues in relation to river health.
At the time of production, it linked to the Victorian Education Department’s curriculum requirements (Victorian Essential Learning Standards Levels 5 and 6 Science and Geography, Interpersonal Development, and Civics and Citizenship). It also presents concepts that were relevant to the VCE Environmental Science, Biology and Geography at the time.
You can download a low resolution copy of the boardgame and the supporting teacher's notes to find out what this resource offered.
River Reflections was launched in 2003. It is an integrated unit of work exploring the theme of the past, present and future concepts of rivers. It is a package of class-based material for upper primary school levels and encourages students to focus on their local stream. River Reflections consists of a package of three posters of images and activities accompanied by a booklet of teacher's notes which addresses specific Level 4 learning outcomes in art, English, SOSE and science.
Waterwatch River Reflections Poster Past
Waterwatch River Reflections Poster Present
Waterwatch River Reflections Poster Future
Waterwatch River Reflections Teacher Notes
River Reflections is a CSF II Level 4 resource launched in 2003. This integrated unit of work explores past, present and future concepts of rivers.
Whilst some of the information (such as contact details) may now be out of date, River Reflections contains valuable information and therefore remains available from this website.
Useful education links for teachers and students
There are many great resources, activities and information available on the web:
Teacher's Guide to Victorian Estuaries
ResourceSmart Schools and Sustainability Victoria Services and Advice for schools.
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