By Mitchell Clarke
About 80 students from 10 primary schools were thrilled at the opportunity to check out the facilities at Deep Creek Reserve on Friday 22 November.
It’s the first program of its kind for the Cardinia Environment Coalition (CEC) who partnered with Cardinia Shire Council and STEM specialist centre Ecolinc to deliver a fun and interactive excursion in line with Victorian curriculum.
Ecolinc outreach education officer Nicole Mason said the program will continue to offer a variety of activities to students across south-east Victoria over the next few years.
“During Friday’s session, students were learning how to propagate indigenous plants from seeds and cuttings,” Ms Mason said.
“It is important for us to plant local indigenous plants in our gardens and at school to provide habitat for native animals.”
Among the activities, students learnt about water monitoring, looking after tadpoles and about the benefits of worm farms and composting.
For Cardinia Environment Coalition president Pat Canty, seeing the program come to life was a special moment.
“I’ve lived along Deep Creek my whole life and Deep Creek Pakenham would have been the last place I’d think something like this could take place,” Mr Canty said.
“It just bought all the hard work we’ve done over the last decade into sharp focus.”
He said Ecolinc’s units of work were “beautifully written” and fit perfectly with the curriculum.
“I was just so very impressed at how the kids were focused for the whole time, they loved every minute.
“It was just so beautiful to see students getting experiences that their schools can’t necessarily deliver and the fact they’re doing it outside the classroom.”
