The enrich360 EcoSchools Program: Introducing our classroom family
With over 20 schools now part of our EcoSchools Family, we’re thrilled to share the incredible work happening across Australia. From tackling climate change to promoting sustainable living, these schools are weaving eco-consciousness into every aspect of student learning. Let’s take a closer look at how the EcoSchools Program is making a lasting impact on both students and communities.
The Lessons: Integrating Sustainability Across the Curriculum
One of the cornerstones of the EcoSchools Program is the Eco 5 — a hands-on learning tool designed to educate students about sustainability. Each participating school receives a comprehensive lesson plan that is closely aligned with the Australian curriculum, ensuring that students engage with relevant content across various subjects.
These lesson plans span a range of topics, from mathematics to art, all framed through the lens of environmental sustainability. For instance, maths lessons might involve calculating the carbon footprint of different energy sources, while art lessons could have students create sustainable designs using recycled materials. The Eco 5’s flexibility allows educators to incorporate sustainability into their teaching in a way that feels seamless and relevant.
Here’s a sneak peek at one of our lesson snippets:
Waste to Taste: Students learn about growing food, plant care, and the value of homegrown vegetables for human health. A lesson plan which teaches students to plant, grow and analyse vegetable growth in different soils, understanding the impact of soil health on our food.
Lunchbox Audits: Students learn to understand and analyse avoidable waste vs unavoidable waste. This lesson plan initiatives hands on learning in a real-life situation, unpacking student’s individual impact and waste-generation in the classroom.
The Current EcoSchools:
- Camberwell Grammar
- Athol Rd Primary
- Chandler Park
- Tintern Grammar
- Redlands
- St Mary’s Anglican School
- Beaumaris college
- Gralee Support School
- Taigum Childcare
- Redlynch Daycare
- Diamond Valley Special School
- Bacchus Marsh Grammar
- Corowa Public School
- Happy Trails ELC
- Namadgi School
- Sunbury Primary
- Birdwood High School
- John Pujajangka-Piyirn School
- Pentland Kindergarten
The Fertiliser: A Green Solution for School Gardens and the Local Community
Another exciting aspect of the EcoSchools Program is the Eco 5 fertiliser. This organic fertiliser is created by the students from their own food waste, and each school gets to decide how best to incorporate it into their existing infrastructure.
Here’s how different schools are making the most of the Eco 5 fertiliser:
- Sunbury Primary: As part of their thriving kitchen garden program, Sunbury School is using Eco 5 fertiliser to enhance the growth of their plants. Students work closely with teachers to plant and nurture the crops within their school garden, learning valuable lessons in plant biology, agriculture, and sustainability. The school’s garden has become a hub for hands-on learning, where students can directly see the positive effects of eco-friendly practices.
- St Mary’s Anglican School: This school has taken a creative approach by integrating Eco 5 fertiliser into an enterprise project. Students have developed a business model around packaging and selling the fertiliser to the local community. Not only does this initiative teach valuable lessons in entrepreneurship, marketing, and product development, but it also provides students with the opportunity to create a tangible impact on their local environment. The enterprise project fosters teamwork, leadership, and financial literacy, all while promoting a sustainable product.
Through these diverse uses of Eco 5, schools are not only improving their local ecosystems but are also providing students with the opportunity to engage with sustainability on a practical level. Whether it’s growing food in the school garden or running a small business, these experiences are shaping future leaders with a strong understanding of environmental stewardship.
As the EcoSchools Program continues to expand, more and more schools are finding innovative ways to incorporate sustainability into their daily routines. The shared knowledge and ideas from the EcoSchools community create a ripple effect that goes beyond the classroom, inspiring students, teachers, and communities to embrace eco-friendly practices.
From integrating climate change education into lesson plans to experimenting with sustainable fertiliser, the EcoSchools Family is proving that education is key to building a more sustainable future. With each new school that joins the program, the EcoSchools community grows stronger, fostering a network of passionate individuals dedicated to making a positive impact on the environment.
Looking Ahead: The Future of EcoSchools
With over 20 schools now part of the EcoSchools Family, we’re excited to see what the future holds. As we continue to develop our resources and programs, we’re committed to providing even more schools with the tools and support they need to champion sustainability. Together, we can inspire the next generation of environmental leaders and make a meaningful difference for our planet.
Stay tuned for more updates from the EcoSchools Program and discover how your school can join the movement towards a greener, more sustainable world.
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Want to join the EcoSchools Program? Contact us via our website!
