Building Bridges: Enterprise Learning in the

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Brief: To develop a water efficient garden for the enjoyment and benefit of the school community.

Students identified areas of each school and conducted a site analysis’ in order to ascertain the next step for

their project.

We had long talks with the Principal. He was like our

client and we talked about where we should locate our

garden.

Links to Curriculum

K-6 Science & Technology Syllabus

Stage 3 - D&M S3.8Develops and resolves a design task by planning, implementing ,

managing and evaluating design processes.• Researches needs that influence the development of built environments and

establishes criteria for the evaluation of produced designs.• Generates design concepts that reflect the consideration of aesthetic, cultural,

safety, and functional requirements.• Selects tools, equipment and resources to meet the requirements of production

and use.

Stage 3 BE S3.1Creates and evaluates built environments demonstrating consideration of

sustainability, aesthetic, cultural, safety and functional issues.• prepares a photo study of an area to inform the process of designing a garden

that is in keeping with existing landscape• selects and uses primary and secondary sources to find information about

water conservation and the local environment

Stage 3 LT S3.3Identifies, describes and evaluates the interactions between living things

and their effects on the environment.• plans and manages the construction of a native Australian garden, identifying and

resolving the need for funds and expert advice• develops a detailed plan to conserve or improve a local nature reserve using a

simple scale, symbols and annotations• uses a water testing device to check the water pollution level in a local waterway

and discusses findings, eg with an expert• selects the most appropriate medium to record and investigate local plants used by

an Aboriginal community

Stage 3 - IC S3.2Creates and evaluates information products and processes, demonstrating

consideration of the type of media, form, audience and ethical issues.• writes and sends an e-mail with an attachment to an expert seeking advice and

information for a task• collects information and develops a plan for a native Australian garden• selects websites and other reference material and checks their accuracy through

identifying sources, currency of information, purpose and bias.

Also links with the K-6 PD& Health PE Syllabus, 7-10 Life SkillsCommunicating, Problem Solving, Interacting & Decision Making Outcomes and Indicators, K-6

HSIE Syllabus, 7-10 Geography Syllabus, K-6 English Syllabus, 7-10 English Syllabus, K-6 Mathematics Syllabus &7-10 Mathematics Syllabus

Links to Curriculum

Mandatory Technology Years 7-10Stage 4 Objectives • knowledge, understanding and appreciation of and skills in design

processes, design theory and the work of designers • knowledge of and skills in researching, experimenting, generating and

communicating creative design ideas and solutions • knowledge and understanding of and skills in the responsible selection and

safe use of materials, tools and techniques • knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the impact of innovation and

emerging technologies on the individual, society and the environment • knowledge of and skills in managing quality solutions to successful

completion .

Area of study: Built Environments• The focus of this area is on space, place and use. People create, construct

and modify their surroundings for a wide range of purposes. The environments people build are an important part of our communities and culture. When designing environments, it is important to consider the functional, physical and material properties, aesthetic, ethical, environmental, socio-cultural, human form and scale and safety aspects of the development.

Links to Curriculum

Building an Enterprising Culture

• The students are involved in every aspect of the

process of design and development. This project is

STUDENT CENTRED. They make their own decisions

and come to the teacher for guidance.

Students from Bexley North discussing the layout of their garden with students from KHS.

Building an Enterprising Culture

• The students are involved in every aspect of the process of

design and development. This project is STUDENT CENTRED. They

make their own decisions and come to the teacher for guidance.

Students from Bexley North exchanging information with students from KHS about the process and purpose of mulching.

Partnerships

Business, Community & Parents

Involving Local Businesses

• Students from each of the 5 groups have contacted local businesses including local garden centres; water tanks companies and landscape gardeners.

• They’ve conducted extensive research using the internet, the local yellow pages and some students have even approached family members.

Students from KHS obtaining advice from Alistair Duncan of the EcoLiving Centre on the size and location of water tanks. The tanks will be used to store storm water from the school building.

Involving Local Businesses

• They’ve conducted extensive research using the internet, the local yellow pages and some students have even approached family members.

Students from KHS using rainfall charts to work out the appropriate capacity of tanks for the storage of storm water.

Involving Local Community

• Students contacted Rockdale Council ~ Organised school visit to see the site and discuss project.

• Participating in National Tree Day.

• Students have researched, identified and contacted local community groups who have expertise and resources;

• Students contacted the Bureau of Meteorology, in order to research weather patterns and Sydney’s rainfall over the last 6 months.

Involving Parents

• Parents are very supportive of this project and many have shown a keen interest and willingness to be involved; e.g. coming to help on the weekend for a “Working Bee”.

• All parents are aware of program and are supporting their children by allowing them time

and resources to work on project.

Progress• Students from BNPS and Kogarah High have

communicated by e-mail and have worked together at each school.

Students from Bexley North showing KHS students how they read the school water meter.

Water usage will be monitored to assess water saving after the water storage tanks have been installed.

Progress• Students from BNPS and Kogarah High have

communicated by e-mail and have worked together at each school.

Students from Bexley North showing KHS students how they manage the worm farm that they have established to turn food scraps into compost.

Progress• Students from BNPS and Kogarah High have

communicated by e-mail and have worked together at each school.

Students from KHS researching native plants that will suit conditions in the site selected for their garden.

Each school has an excursion planned to the Heathcote Native Nursery and the Mount Annan Botanic Gardens.

The Mount Annan Botanic Garden specialises in native plants and flora.

Progress

But we have not finished yet.

We still have to:• Purchase our plants and soil• Install the stormwater tanks and watering

system• Layout our gardens• Plant and mulch

…………… and, of course, carry out a final evaluation to measure the success of our projects.