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Green Living Education #2 2023
WASTE WARRIORS AND BIODIVERSITY BLITZES
Yep, the War on Waste is back – and we are here for it!
Check out this game to see how waste-aware you are. The school resources available on the Casey website have also been updated to include a recycling quiz for classroom activities.
Once you and your students have played these games, you might have questions about how Casey manages household rubbish. Our new waste guide tells you what goes where – even with the fiddliest materials. If you want to take it to the next level, see our local zero waste classes.
If you're getting involved with the Casey Green Living Biodiversity Blitz, you might also be keen to join the Colley Street wildflower and bushwalk.
Also - we're redeveloping our existing Waste Education resources. If you're a VIT-registered Teacher with a current ABN and you'd like to work with us, please scroll down to the Professional Development section for more information.
Read on for comprehensive class resources, competitions, local news and what’s on. If you'd like to learn more about how the City of Casey can help support you in and out of the classroom, please email us at eduwaste@casey.vic.gov.au
TERM THREE DATES TO CELEBRATE
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Saturday 19-Friday 25 August Book Week “Read, Grow, Inspire."
Saturday 19 August World Humanitarian Day
Sunday 20–Thursday 24 August World Water Week
Sunday 27 August National science quiz
All September, celebrate with the 2023 Biodiversity Blitz.
Participating is easy! Join up, then head outdoors to snap photos of flora and fauna in the City of Casey any time in September.
Upload them via iNaturalist and show the amazing biodiversity Casey has to offer. Check out last year's results here:
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/biodiversity-blitz-2022-melbourne
These Yellow-tailed black cockatoos (Zanda funerea) were spotted in Cranbourne this August by Ricardo Simao
Friday 1 September - National Wattle Day
Thursday 7 September - National Threatened Species Day
Tuesday 12 September - National Bilby Day
Tuesday 26 September - World Rivers Day
Friday 29 September International Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste Reduction
NEWS AND CONGRATULATIONS
In July, the children of Pearcedale Kindergarten were treated to a visit from our Principal Climate Change Officer Claire Brace and Environment Projects Officer Simonette Charles. This delightful duo shared their knowledge of the Casey coast. The kids learned about the importance of mangroves, and even got to see a live crab. Later they created these gorgeous murals of mangrove habitat. |
The City of Casey continues its commitment to educational equity by donating a further 106 laptops to not-for-profit organisation ‘This is IT’. The program collects end-of-life and end-of-lease laptops to repurpose them for students in need. If this could help at your school, contact Andrew Simmons at admin@sellen.org.au
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Myuna Farm has installed a state-of-the-art wind turbine and battery storage system! The 5kW wind turbine, stands on a locally-made 17-meter tower and is one of the most efficient small wind turbines out there. Don't miss the chance to see the wind turbine in action and experience our eco-friendly transformation firsthand! To set up an excursion, contact myunafarm@casey.vic.gov.au |
Finally, check out this rare golden brushtail possum, living proof of the benefits of adding trees to our community. Amongst other things, trees provide habitat for our unique fauna. This photo was by a local Casey resident. The golden colour is due to the low levels of melanin in their skin and fur. Photo taken by Carol Shaw. |
CLASSROOM RESOURCES
FOUNDATION-PRIMARY
Platypus month Platypus live in rivers and creeks throughout Melbourne – but are known to be difficult to find. With your help, we can better understand these shy creatures and support them into the future. This is more important than ever, as platypus have been formally listed as ‘vulnerable’ in Victoria.
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Litter, Litter Everywhere - the journey of waste Did you know the City of Casey offers free incursions to primary schools? If you'd like your students to learn how to identify the journey of the litter in our environment; learn how litter hurts the environment; and discover how to make better choices to reduce litter - then please book one here. |
What if there were 1 trillion more trees? Humans produce more than 1,400 tons of carbon every minute. To combat climate change, we need to reduce fossil fuel emissions, and draw down excess CO2 to restore the balance of greenhouse gases. Like all plants, trees consume atmospheric carbon through photosynthesis. So what can trees do to help in this fight? |
SECONDARY
Why worry about stormwater? In this lesson plan, students investigate stormwater processes in their local catchment and how stormwater is managed in Melbourne. They also learn about innovative water sensitive urban design (WSUD) practices, applying them to a redesign of local guttering and drainage. |
Inside a minibeast Explore the bodies of a ladybird, an ant and a bee in this interactive game to discover their superpowers. For example - discover the answer to why ladybird wings are so colourful.
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Wildlife Bridges This STEAM challenge uses a real problem facing Australia’s native animals - how to safely cross the road. Students will design potential solutions by investigating some of the research into safe animal crossings and researching the habitats of different native animals. |
ALL-AGES & COMMUNITY
AUSMAP: Australian microplastic assessment project This national citizen science project is all about learning more about these invasive elements and how to prevent them from entering the food chain. AUSMAP is creating a network across Australia's coastlines and waterways to identify pollution hot spots. |
Nourish: OzHarvest The Nourish program is a hospitality focused employment and engagement pathway for at-risk youth aged 16-25. The program is no cost for participants, who are eligible to receive a Certificate II in Kitchen Operations upon successful completion. |
Sustainable housing How can the Casey Council support local residents and industries to save money and resources? Learn how at Casey Tech School, where they run a number of public programs. And check out their YouTube channel for more. |
LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH
Translated recycling posters
Our waste guide campaign poster (English) has been translated into the most popular languages other than English spoken in Casey - Arabic, Dari, Hazaragi, Hindi, Pashto, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Turkish and Ukrainian.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
WORK WITH US
Any teachers in the group with an ABN? Or know a teacher with one? We have a paid short-term opportunity available.
If you're a VIT registered Teacher with a current ABN you could assist the City of Casey with redeveloping existing Waste Education resources. You would create updated, industry-relevant and engaging waste and recycling content, aligned with the state curriculum.
We have a project brief as the basis of project quote proposals. All content will be developed in Word format. Please get in touch with the Casey Waste Education Team at eduwaste@casey.vic.gov.au if you're interested in joining us.
ONLINE AND FREE: Fighting food waste at your school Thursday 24 August, 3:45pm - 4:30pm |
ONLINE AND FREE: Sustainable learning activities in the classroom: Passive solar house design Thursday 7 September, 3:45pm-4:30pm |
SELF-PACED: Young scientists in your learning room Discover how to use science experiments and teachable moments to develop the scientific thinking of children and help them achieve Early Years Learning Framework outcomes. |
SELF-PACED: Student wellbeing framework Explore the five elements of the Framework in depth and discover practical strategies and resources for building positive, safe, inclusive and respectful learning communities. |
GRANTS, PROGRAMS, COMPETITIONS & CHALLENGES
TWO creative competitions!
Entries to this threatened species art competition for kids are open from Monday 17 July to Thursday 7 September 2023. Image: Green Sea Turtle by Mina, aged 9
Create Your Mark Creative Competition
A competition where students work together to imagine a sustainable future, then independently create an artwork that shows how this will look.
Sprout Grants (Hamer Sprout Fund) closes 30 September 2023
This annual grant round is aimed at supporting smaller organisations and projects that promote innovation in environmental education, facilitate engagement in environmental action, advocate for environmental sustainability and/or foster collaboration between young people engaged in environmental leadership.
Other Environment & Sustainability Grants
WELA Giving Circle Small Grants (Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia) closes 31 August 2023
This small grant supports environmental and climate advocacy, campaigns, and projects that are led by women and/or gender-diverse people.
2023 Visionary Grants (Australian Ethical Foundation) closes 1 September 2023
This grant supports community groups with early-stage projects and ideas that have the potential for large impact in combatting climate change in the areas of stopping sources of carbon, supporting carbon sinks, or securing gender equalist and advancing women’s wellbeing.
Recycling Modernisation Fund Plastics Technology Stream (Sustainability Victoria) closes 4 September 2023
NFPs can apply for funding to address critical gaps in Australia’s recycling infrastructure using advanced and innovative technologies that target the recovery, recycling or circularity of hard-to-recycle plastics.
Saving Native Species - Priority Species (Victorian Government) closes 7 September 2023
This grant supports incorporated organisations to deliver projects that reduce the risk of extinction for 110 identified priority threatened species.
Wildlife Rehabilitator Grants (Victorian Government) closes 15 September 2023
This small grant is available to authorised wildlife shelter operators and foster carers for equipment, infrastructure, consumables, education and training.
Education & Learning Grants
Be Connected Network - Building Digital Skills Grant (Australian Government) closes 25 August 2023
This grant supports eligible community organisations to deliver one-on-one or small groups digital skills programs for older Australians to improve their skills and confidence in using technology.
2024–2027 School Breakfast Clubs Program (Victorian Government) closes 31 August 2023
Eligible organisations can apply now to support the delivery of School Breakfast Clubs across Victoria, including the provision of healthy breakfasts at targeted government schools, the provision of nutritious lunches, snacks and take-home packs for students in need, and the delivery of cooking classes for families.
Building Blocks Grants – Improvement (Victorian Government) closes 3 September 2023
This grant supports NFP organisations offering a 3 and 4-year-old kindergarten program to upgrade, refurbish or renovate their facilities or invest in IT equipment that assists with the delivery of education or service administration.
Smart Giving Grant (Schools Plus) closes 11 September 2023
This program supports strategic school-based projects that improve outcomes for children and young people in a specific subject-matter area or help to address an identified challenge for a targeted group of students. The grant includes coaching for leadership teams as well as project management and evaluation support.
Real School Grants Program (Real Insurance) closes 31 October 2023
This grant is offered annually to one school, school group, and/or school committee that is committed to improving the quality of school resources and communities with regards to one of the following values: health, learning & development, information & technology, or community & infrastructure.
SHARE YOUR STORIES
We would love to hear about what environmental programs/initiatives you are doing with your students. If you would like to share in future editions, please email us at eduwaste@casey.vic.gov.au.
For your students - what are their tips, hacks or even questions for using, reusing, upcycling and recycling? Please share them with us via email or through the Green Living in Casey Facebook group.
