Save Planet Earth is a year 2 program which engages children by using hands-on exploration of the natural environment and investigating sustainability practices of familiar house-hold activities. The day starts with a visit from Mother Earth visit expressing her concerns for our world and challenging them to become an 'Earth Protector' by developing actions to help save the planet.
Session 1 – Water - Students explore sustainable practices for water conservation by following Whizzy the Water Droplet's trail around BIEEC. Students use iPads to self-direct themselves along the water trail and are given tasks to assist with developing sustainable water practices.
Session 2 – Soil - Students use their senses to investigate soil conservation with hands-on exploration of soils from various local environments. They explore the center to investigate composting, mulching, worm farms and how plants are important in assisting with soil conservation. The day culminates with the students planting seedlings around the center and make a 'grassy head' to take home and care for.
Curriculum intent
Science
Science Understanding
Earth and Space Sciences
Earth's resources are used in a variety of ways (ACSSU032)
Science as a Human Endeavour
Nature and development of science
Science involves observing, asking questions about, and describing changes in, objects and events (ACSHE034).
Use and influence of science
People use science in their daily lives, including when caring for their environment and living things (ACSHE035).
Science Inquiry Skills
Questioning and predicting
Pose and respond to questions, and make predictions about familiar objects and events (ACSIS037).
Planning and conducting
- Participate in guided investigations to explore and answer questions (ACSIS038)
Use informal measurements to collect and record observations, using digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS039).
Processing and analysing data and information
Use a range of methods to sort information, including drawings and provided tables and through discussion, compare observations with predictions (ACSIS040).
Communicating
Represent and communicate observations and ideas in a variety of ways (ACSIS042).
Cross-curriculum priorities
Sustainability
Systems
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OI.1 The biosphere is a dynamic system providing conditions that sustain life on Earth.
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OI.2 All life forms, including human life, are connected through ecosystems on which they depend for their wellbeing and survival.
World views
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OI.5 World views are formed by experiences at personal, local, national and global levels, and are linked to individual and community actions for sustainability.
Futures
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OI.6 The sustainability of ecological, social and economic systems is achieved through informed individual and community action.
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OI.7 Actions for a more sustainable future reflect values of care, respect and responsibility, and require us to explore and understand environments.
General capabilities
- Literacy
- Numeracy
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability
- Critical and Creative Thinking
- Personal and Social Capability
- Ethical Understanding.