We offer a range of educational programs and resources related to water, wastewater and recycled water themes.
Our Education Officer is available to provide advice to teachers of students from preschool to tertiary levels on using our education services.
> Water in the school curriculum
Take the opportunity to consult with us in the planning stage. We can provide background resources for teachers, in-service sessions to learn more about the topic and information about related education programs offered locally.
Water is a topic which can support many elements of the school curriculum. Some of the stronger links occur with the environmental, sustainability and science areas including the AussiVic curriculum framework.
> Resourcing teachers
Teacher packs, information sheets and brochures about the water industry, history of water supply, water audits and water conservation are available. We can tailor resources to suit the school’s needs.
> School Visits
Classroom presentations and activities may be arranged to suit all age groups on topics such as water provision water and wastewater treatment, water conservation, water quality and many other issues relating to water.
> Tours
Tours of facilities such as water treatment plants and water reclamation plants are not available for school groups but we can arrange for our headworks staff to speak to groups at Lauriston or Malmsbury Reservoirs, our catchment storages on the Coliban River.
These visits are arranged through our Education Officer, > click here to email or call 1300 363 200.
> Schools Newsletter
We produce an email newsletter which we send out to schools
periodically through the year. To view the latest newsletter > click here
To be added to the mailing list or make suggestions for the newsletter > click here to email our Education Officer or call 1300 363 200.
> Contact Us
For further information on any aspect of our education program, > click here to email our Education Officer or call 1300 363 200.
> Latest Activities
> Education Activities Slide Show
> December
Chewton schools cluster 'Water Activities Day'
Our Education Officer and Land Management Co-ordinator recently presented two sessions of our ‘Catchment in a Sandpit’ for grade 5-6 students at the Chewton schools cluster ‘Water Activities Day’.
Around 150 students and their teachers attended from five of the smaller schools in our southern region.
Three separate sessions for grades Prep- 4 were used demonstrations and storytelling to cover the water cycle, water use and water conservation.
Strathfieldsaye Primary School
Our Education Officer presented prizes and certificates at Strathfieldsaye Primary School for students involvement with RACV Energy Breakthrough program.
During the weeks leading up to the Energy Breakthrough event, held in Maryborough at the end of November, our education programs helped 150 grade 3-4 students prepare for the challenge.
We presented our 'Catchment in the Sandpit' and 'Taps & Toilets' design game to students, which provided a local context for their work as well as demonstrating some of the scientific principles associated with moving water through pipes.
Taps and Toilets is an educational, hands-on engineering design game which engages students in a 'real-life' problem solving exercise.
The transportation of water through pipesis central to Coliban Water's role and is essential to facilitate water security for our towns in North Central Victoria.
Using small sections of coloured straws on a map, students work in teams to design three water systems for a hypothetical community.
Each student group must minimize costs and follow environmental planning guidelines while 'constructing' potable (drinking) water, sewerage and recycled water systems.
The activity supports the Victorian Essential Learning Standards, in particular the strand of Physical, Personal and Social Learning in the domain of Interpersonal Development where the Level 3 and 4 standards for the 'Working in Teams' dimension are directly addressed.
Our Education officer is available to visit schools in the Coliban Water region and can deliver the game to students.
A curriculum pack for each classroom teacher as well as all student materials such as maps, straws and instructions sheets will all be provided.
If you would like to find out more information or make arrangements to have 'Taps and Toilets' brought free of charge to your school, > click here to email Coliban Water’s Education Officer or call 1300 363 200.
Catchment in the Sandpit*
* Adapted from the activity 'Sandpit 101' in the Australian Water Association education resource 'We All Use Water', 2002.
This demonstration activity can be adapted to suit any age level but is particularly engaging for grades P-2.
The primary school sandpit becomes the medium to convey the concept of catchment in a visual and dynamic way. Students are told the story of change over time and the impact of human activity on water and the environment.
The focus for Coliban Water is the collecting and provision of potable water and the need to protect the environment and public health of communities by managing and treating wastewater.
With the assistance of other presenters related aspects of catchment care such as the maintenance of wetlands and biodiversity and the management of stormwater can also be demonstrated.
As a follow up activity students can create their own catchments and towns applying some of the principles learned from the demonstration.
If you would like to find out more information or make arrangements to have 'Catchement in the Sandpit' brought free of charge to your school, > click here to email Coliban Water’s Education Officer or call 1300 363 200.
Mission H20
Mission H2O is a fun and interactive online game for kids both young and old. The game was developed for savewater!® by 80 students and 5 lecturers from Swinburne University's Faculty of Design.
The project took over 18,000 hours to complete, or the equivalent of one person working full-time for nearly 11 years.
YOUR MISSION: Water storages are at a critically low level, you have been assigned to the Wilson family household to save water.
Move through the house, exploring each room to discover water saving tips and hidden videos.
Play all eight games and submit your highest score to successfully complete your mission. Your mission begins at :Mission H2O
National Water Week Poster competition
This annual state-wide competition is open to all primary aged students who are asked to create an A3 poster for National Water Week. Students can use any art materials such as paint, pencils, photographs, coloured felt pen, collage materials and computer graphics.
Winners are chosen, considering the following:
How well the poster conveys the theme
How well it can be reproduced to promote National Water Week
How good it looks from a distance
Student's use of art materials
Text can be used but should be kept to a minimum.
Check out the National Water Week website for lots of information > click here
Schools should register an interest to participate by contacting Coliban Water’s Education Officer, > click here to email or call 1300 363 200.
Print out these labels to use on your school books >click here
Waterwatch
Coliban Water is a major sponsor of North Central Waterwatch in our region.
Wherever possible we integrate our respective programs and collaborate in conducting educational activities. Government grants and local sponsorship enable a robust community water quality monitoring program for individuals, schools and community groups.
