Education services
Our workshops engage school students in hands-on learning, fostering awareness and action for environmental sustainability.
ECOllaboration provides a range of environmental education services for schools across the Sunshine Coast and Noosa, such as curriculum linked bespoke workshops which cover the core content of subjects such as Senior Geography and Biology via school based incursions or field trips. Our workshops are run by environmental scientists and educators with over 30 years combined experience and an extensive knowledge of the region, our water catchments and natural resource management.
The content of our education programs link with biology, chemistry, marine science, earth & environmental science and geography subjects for Senior students and with science and geography subjects for students from Prep to Year 10. Indigenous Australian tradition and knowledge is also embedded in program delivery wherever possible for cultural enrichment.
We support the following learning outcomes through our engagement activities in primary and secondary schools:
– Children are connected with and contribute to their world by becoming socially responsible and showing respect for the environment
– Children are confident and involved learners
Our school incursions, excursions and holiday workshops have been enjoyed by many children as we ensure they involve fun and engaging, memorable learning experiences. Further details on the range of workshops we provide and curriculum linkage can be found below and in our Education Program Guide.
We support the following learning outcomes through our engagement activities in primary and secondary schools:
– Children are connected with and contribute to their world by becoming socially responsible and showing respect for the environment
– Children are confident and involved learners
Our school incursions, excursions and holiday workshops have been enjoyed by many children as we ensure they involve fun and engaging, memorable learning experiences. Further details on the range of workshops we provide and curriculum linkage can be found below and in our Education Program Guide.
Here's what local teachers have to say about our workshops...
READ OUR EDUCATION PROGRAM GUIDE
Here's what local teachers have to say about our workshops...
“It was a terrific learning experience for all involved and we were fortunate and grateful to be accompanied by very experienced people in their field of expertise.”
"I really enjoyed the session with you guys! The water testing in the creeks was a great hit with the students. I think for the students the more hands on, the better to keep them engaged. I also thought that you were very engaging when you spoke, and the information you gave was clear and informative."
"Thank you so much for your time the other week! The kids said 'that was actually interesting'!"
"I wanted to send a quick email to say thank you for last week. Teachers and students have reported back that they highly enjoyed the sessions and found them a great link between the real world and what we have been learning in the classroom. Thank you also for being flexible with our times and the weather conditions."
"I wanted to thank you all for the awesome experience you created for our Year 7’s last week. The student and teacher feedback were overwhelmingly positive. We are definitely keen to continue this into the future."
"Thanks so much for facilitating the excursion. It was a great day, and the kids had fun. I will be in contact about doing this field study again."
The Education Team is spearheaded by our Community Engagement and Education Manager, Trevor Morrison.
Trevor has over 10 years’ experience as a high school teacher and holds a Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management Assessment. Trevor’s passion for conservation is evident in every workshop and students can’t get enough of his fun facts about the environment!
Our Programs by Age Group
Early Learning
We cater for the youngest environmental stewards in our community by hosting excursions and incursions (eg. at childcare centres) to suit children aged 3-5 years old.
Options for this age group include:
- Hands-on activities such as learning about the range of waterbugs that live on the creek bed
- Frog hotel workshop (students to help build a small frog habitat and learn about some of the Sunshine Coast’s iconic frog species)
- Waterway health (demonstration to show students what happens to water if polluted)
- Customisable activities are available upon request and can be designed by our education experts
Primary School
Our selection of featured activities, depending on curriculum or individual needs, include:
- Platypus spotting and interpretive talks about local platypus populations, including ECOllaboration community survey data and habitat protection initiatives
- Water testing of a local creek including visual observation and scientific parameters (students to assist testing and recording pH, temperature, turbidity, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen)
- Hands-on waterbug analysis (students examine macroinvertebrates and tally species found with conclusions drawn to water quality based on findings)
- Catchment tours/nature walks (including platypus spotting areas, wildlife awareness, weeds, habitat protection)
- First Nation Australian use of plants and hunting techniques (silent hunting/spotting)
CURRICULUM OPTIONS
Major Australian Curriculum (ACARA Version 8.4 or Version 9.0) links to content descriptions include:
- Science – “Living Things: Biological Sciences” (Prep – 6)
- HASS – options vary but expressly include Year 4 while other year levels are catered for upon request
Secondary School
We can assist your school with meeting the strict curriculum needs of from Years 7-12. With customised incursions and excursions to select from, we will guide you through the process of booking a field experience that can be mapped against the below ACARA/QCAA curriculum links. We can also provide assessment materials, including student report scaffolding, for a range of year levels to suit the field experience.
CURRICULUM OPTIONS
Geography
- Year 7 Water in the World (water cycle, water as a resource, managing water supply)
- Year 10 Coastal Management (eg Maroochydore Beach Erosion Plan)
- Year 12 Unit 3 Topic 1 Responding to Land Cover Transformations (weed mgmt at Petrie Ck)
We also have various curriculum options for Science and Biology (contact us for details)
Our selection of featured activities, depending on curriculum needs, include:
- Coastal processes (Maroochydore Beach including SCC strategic plans, analysis of hard and soft engineering structures, current projects and best-practice future recommendations)
- Water testing of a local creek including visual observation and scientific parameters (students to assist testing and recording pH, temperature, turbidity, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen)
- Hands-on waterbug analysis (students examine macroinvertebrates and tally species found with conclusions drawn to water quality based on findings)
- Catchment tours/nature walks (including platypus spotting areas, wildlife awareness, weeds, habitat protection)
- Invasive species (cane toads, common weed flora)
- Platypus spotting and interpretive talks about local platypus populations, including ECOllaboration community survey data and habitat protection initiatives
- First Nation Australian use of plants and hunting techniques (silent hunting/spotting)
Outside School Hours Care, Vacations & Camps
We can customise programs for Outside School Hours Care, Vacations & Camps.
Contact us for more information.