Water Educators Forum

Transcription

1 12 and 13 February 2009 Ballarat Victoria Outline Education is an important and effective tool in assisting stakeholders to learn about water. The forum will focus on the following three issues: Water education resources Professional development Improving the effectiveness of communication between water businesses and stakeholders Objective This forum presents on the progress of water education programs in water businesses and other industries. In addition it provides a valuable networking opportunity for people working in education in the water industry.

2 Program Day One Thursday 12 February 2009 Mercure Ballarat Hotel and Convention Centre 613 Main Road, Ballarat Time 9:00am Topic/Speaker Introduction & Welcome (Steve Bird, VicWater and Rob Krober, Water Educators Task Group Chair) 9:10 am Warm up activities (Gillian Vanderwaal, GWMWater) 9.20 am WLiLi update and regional adaptation (Nick Stone and Nick Abrams) 9.35 am Professional Development for teachers (WLiLi Team) am Ecolinc Science & Technology Innovations. Planning Professional Development Days (Suzanne Clark see attached profile) 10:30 am Morning Tea 11:00 am Sustainability and Education in Industry (Kurtis Noyce - see attached profile) 12:30 am Water Warriors (Ros Griggs, South Gippsland Water) 1:00 pm Lunch 2:00 pm Bus Trip - Ballarat Grammar Heinz Centre for Environmental Studies (Priscilla Harington and Nick Lanyon see attached profiles) 3:40 pm Afternoon Tea and visit to Narmbool Lodge Environmental Discovery Camp (Matt Dowler see attached profiles) 5:00 pm CHW Water Education Centre and Waterwise Garden (Peter Blackburn) 5:45 pm Close 7:00 pm Drinks (for 7.30pm informal dinner)

3 Program Day Two Friday 13 February 2009 Mercure Ballarat Hotel and Convention Centre 613 Main Road, Ballarat Time Topic/Speaker 9.00 am Smart Water Fund (Cheyne McKee see attached profile) 9:30 am University of Ballarat Presentation see attached profile 10:00 am Communicating water related concepts to 3-10 year olds (Rob Krober, Coliban Water) 10:30 am Morning Tea 11:00 am Breaking down barriers in the Water Industry and Professional Development (round table discussion, facilitated by Rob Krobar and Peter Blackburn) 12:00 noon Lunch 1:00 pm Close

4 Registration Form DATES: Thursday 12 and Friday 13 February 2009 Registration includes: VENUE: COST: Mercure Ballarat Hotel and Convention Centre 613 Main Road Ballarat $ (incl GST) 2 Nights Accommodation (11&12/2/09) Forum Attendance on both days Dinner on 12 February 2009 Note: Other packages can be arranged. Please contact Fiona at VicWater after 19 January 2009 for further details PLEASE REGISTER THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE TO ATTEND THE WATER EDUCATOR S FORUM Name Position Company Address Special Dietary Needs Name Position Company Address Special Dietary Needs Name: Attached is a cheque for $ made payable to the Victorian Water Industry Association. Please Invoice: Company: Address: ** ** Please ensure you provide this information, as invoices will be ed. Please return by fax or mail by Wednesday 4 February 2009 to: Fiona Ould, Office Manager, VicWater Suite 1, Level 6, 2 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 Tel: Fax: vicwater@vicwater.org.au A tax invoice will be forwarded for all registrations.

5 Speakers Suzanne Clark - Ecolinc Was the Project Manager of Ecolinc during its construction and curriculum development stage during following a teaching career in a number of secondary colleges. Following Ecolinc s opening in 2005, Suzanne became the Ecolinc Manager. Suzanne is a Maths/Chemistry/Environmental Science teacher with educational qualifications, BSc, Dip Ed and MEnv, with strong environmental interests and a passion for the great outdoors. Ecolinc, the Science and Technology Innovations Centre at Bacchus Marsh, provides innovative curriculum programs for P-12 students which focus on sustainable environmental development practices. The centre conducts: Sustainable environmental workshops for the community develops and disseminates educational literature relating to sustainable environments; Educational tours of the Centre featuring the wetland and ESD principles, and Professional development programs relating to sustainable environment for primary and secondary teachers. Kurtis Noyce Senior Environment & Community Officer Has extensive experience in environment, social and community education and consultation. He has led a range of community education programs including: Catchment Team leader and project coordinator for the LINC (Linear Network of Communal Spaces). The LINCS vision is one of green spokes radiating out from the urban hub of Ballarat: a network of linear parks along our waterways, roadsides and former rail lines to provide recreational opportunities and important corridors for wildlife and to link public reserves and open space (LINCS Strategy) Past President Ballarat Environmental Network. Secretary Leigh Catchment Group (umbrella to 10 Landcare management groups) Linking people to community spaces to ensure a coordinated approach to environmentally beneficial outcomes. Kurtis Noyce Priscilla Harington A secondary school teacher who assisted in the initial planning & establishment of programs at the centre. Evolved for eight year in the teaching sustainability topics including water, energy and students lifestyles and how they can make a positive impact on their local environment. Nick Lanyon An English and History teacher by profession, Nick has worked in Fiji, Hamilton, Japan and Melbourne before moving to Ballarat in 1998 where he teaches Year 9 students principles of sustainability at the Grammar Heinz Centre. Nick is also the President of BREAZE, (Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions). Matt Dowler Is an Education Officer at Narmbool is a qualified school teacher with a Bachelor and graduate Diploma of Applied Science and an Outdoor Education Degree. Matt will provide a run down and overview of various programs and workshop activity prior to a tour of the education facilities. Cheyne McKee Communications Co-ordinator, Smart Water Fund The Smart Water Fund invests in innovative urban water recycling, water conservation and biosolids management projects and actively promotes the sharing of knowledge for ongoing benefits to the wider community. By investing in innovative water conservation projects the Fund aims to foster and share new approaches to the way we use water. The Fund is a joint initiative of the Victorian water industry and the Victorian Government and has invested almost $30 million dollars in 170 projects throughout the State. Cheyne McKee is responsible for the overall strategic communications program for the Fund and advising funded projects on communication and promotion matters.

6 University of Ballarat Presentation Training Graduate Teachers The University of Ballarat's School of Education has a long and proud tradition of teacher education and in recent years, the School has moved beyond its traditional role in pre - service teacher education to embrace research, consultancy, higher degree programs, and research supervision. These developments, including significant recent appointments, reflect the School's commitment to its broad mission of teacher education, research and professional engagement. Many current staff have distinguished international reputations for teaching and research in their fields, and for working cooperatively with schools on educational innovations and development. Venues Ballarat Grammar Heinz Centre for Environmental Studies Ballarat Grammar has responded to a growing school population by building an innovative Year 9 complex that provides the venue for engaging, alternative and experiential learning. Ballarat Grammar has followed the lead of other schools in specialising the Year 9 experience; however, Grammar's Year 9 complex is on campus and within walking distance of the main school. Another difference is that almost everything the students experience, from the programs to their physical surroundings, is based on sustainable living principles. Narmbool Narmbool is a 2000 hectare property combining bushland, land and water catchment restoration areas, and fine wool farming. Narmbool is a model for combining sustainable land management, plant and biodiversity and habitat conservation, and farming. Narmbool's multi-disciplinary environmental education programs will develop students' understanding of biodiversity in a unique Australian environment, and the skills to articulate what a sustainable environment means. By visiting and examining some biodiversity hot spots, students learn about healthy habitats, how all things are connected in ecosystems, and the impact of human decisions in maintaining a healthy balance. Indigenous perspectives on the land and its significance enrich the experience. Education programs are designed to cater for middle years students. Our education officers conduct the programs, working with visiting teachers to ensure the best curriculum and personal outcomes for every student. Central Highlands Water - Education Centre and Kirks Waterwise Garden The Outdoor Education Centre overlooks the beautiful Water Wise Garden at Kirks Reservoir Park and is adjacent to the Catchment, Habitat and Water Trail at Gong Gong Reservoir Park. The Centre is an excellent focal point for various educational programs within the Kirks Water Wise Garden, and the Gong Gong Catchment, Habitat and Water Trail. The Outdoor Education Centre integrates the tour of these Central Highlands Water s facilities as an integral part of the hands on, real life philosophy that has been adopted by the education program. The community receive an insight into how a water corporation (like Central Highlands Water) delivers water to their city and then takes it away for treatment after use. Schools and community groups who visit and become involved in the Centre s activities will leave having gained more knowledge about the vital importance of water in our everyday lives and environment.