SCHOOL PROGRAMS
MI school programs aim to:
> increase knowledge about and concern for the environment;
> encourage fieldwork by students; and
> promote environmental education resulting in
pro-active and positive action by students for their environment.

MI is also developing resources to assist teachers and students learn more about environmental education, including:
> ‘Environmental in action activity boxes’
> written resources – books and brochures
> website addresses for staff and students
> field excursions - organised by MI Environment staff
> an education package that has been designed to address the NSW Board of Studies Outcomes for
stage 3 Key Learning Areas – ‘Water Ways for Schools’.

Enviro Champions is a Leadership Training Program open to Upper Primary Schools in the MIA. It aims to develop student environmental awareness and also develop individual capacity to lead and influence others on environmental matters. Read more

School Workshops - This range of workshops is available for school students, which the MI Environment team can assist teachers with.

Macro-invertebrates Years K-6
Find, catch and investigate a variety of invertebrates in your school grounds. Students use a range of equipment to learn about these important animals.

A Healthy Ecosystem Years 5-10
Students conduct simple tests on the non-living aspects of their environment – soil, water and temperature.

What Waste? Years 4-10
Find out how to take action for the environment by reducing waste. Students conduct an 'audit' of the school's waste, undertake a lunch-wrap survey, sort a sample of the school's rubbish, and re-use some waste items as a craft activity.

Water Wonder Years 5-7
Students learn about the development of the MIA constructing a calico mural depicting the historical events. This can be followed by an excursion to Barren Box Storage and Wetland, a local site of environment and aboriginal significance.

Wonderful Wetlands Years 4-10
Students have a field trip to a local wetland where they explore the area learning about the importance of native species, both fauna and flora.

Down and Dirty with Soils Years 4-10
Students conduct simple experiments where they have a chance to learn more about the characteristics of soil. Experiments in soil texturing, soil colour, soil Ph, soil salinity and soil slaking are included.

Aboriginal Education Creative Arts Workshop Years K-2
Students have the opportunity to listen to local Wiradjuri dreamtime stories. This is followed up by a creative session where students complete art designs with stones.

Water Birds Years 2-6
Activities and resources supplied to assist teachers to implement a unit on water birds. This is followed by an excursion to Barren Box Storage and Wetland facility where students can experience becoming a twitcha, where they can identify a wide selection of birds.

Excursions and Whole Day Experiences-Years K-10

Barren Box Storage and Wetland Experience-journey out to an amazing place where birds are a plenty. Look first hand at aboriginal plants and artifacts and learn more about the signifance of such a wonderful local icon.

Celebration of School Environment Day- a range of activities that can be conducted by Murrumbidgge Staff and teaching staff where students move around a selection of environment activity stations over the whole day.

Fivebough Wetland - a wetland of international importance where there is a variety of habitat for birds.

Above: Calico banner painted by Hanwood Public School for the 'Water Wonder Workshop', depicting the historical development of the MIA.