23 June 2011
Kids Get Creative to Get Healthy Waterways Message Across
Kids from around Victoria will be stepping into the shoes of their teachers over the next two days to teach each other ways to ensure a sustainable water future for the State. Traditional ‘book-learning’ will be out the window as the children use more creative methods to get their messages across to each other.
450 primary and secondary students will attend the 2011 Melbourne Water Kids Teaching Kids Conference at Etihad Stadium and Melbourne Zoo this week.
Founder of the “Kids Teaching Kids” environmental education conferences and former Prime Minister’s Environmentalist of the Year, Arron Wood said that the creativity on show during the conference proves that the students are serious about coming up with innovative solutions to environmental issues.
“It’s wonderful to see kids communicating in a way that resonates so strongly with their peers. This year we’ve made all of the students ‘Waterways Superheroes’ and literally tasked them with coming up with plans to make sure that the future of our rivers and creeks is a healthy one.”
“During the presentations kids talk about how we can protect our native wildlife, the importance of wetlands and how river health and habitat renewal is essential for platypus survival. The kids aren’t writing on blackboards either – they’re making music videos, hosting game-shows and taking their peers on virtual round-the-world trips to get their messages across. It’s fantastic to see.”
Long-term sponsor of the conference Melbourne Water says that the enthusiasm displayed by the students is a strong indication of how seriously they take the subject.
Shaun Cox, Managing Director of Melbourne Water, said “The students are committed to how they – as individuals – can make a real difference to the future of their waterways. During the conference they come up with really great ideas to take back to their schools, homes and larger communities.
“We’re really proud to be involved with a conference that gets kids thinking about their role in the environment, interacting with each other and – ultimately – preparing themselves to the be the future custodians of our waterways.”
Day One of the Melbourne Water Kids Teaching Kids Conference at Etihad Stadium will be opened by The Hon Premier Ted Baillieu, and will see the students teaching each other through innovative presentations about their chosen water-related topic.
The second day of the conference will be co-launched by Minister Dixon, Minister for Education and Minister Smith, Minister for Environment and Climate Change and will involve a day of hands-on environmental activities at Melbourne Zoo.
Media Contact: Stephanie Julian (03) 9235 1587; 0467 716 182