Teacher resources by year level

Browse lesson plans and classroom activity sheets to educate students on a range of water-related themes, grouped by year level. You can also browse resources by curriculum area.

For more interactive resources and ideas that students can do at their own pace, including our flagship virtual tours, view our activities for all ages.

Foundation to Year 2

Illustration of frog by a river

Calling all frogs

Explore local frog calls and lifecycle stages, using digital applications (including our Frog Census app) to develop students’ ICT skills.

Science, Digital technologies

Illustration of platypus

Puddles the platypus

This activity explores the impact of people and stormwater pollution on platypus and other waterway animals. It can be adapted for other year levels as a writing stimulus.

Science, Geography

Illustration of waterbugs under a microscope

Meet the waterbugs

Develop students’ understanding of waterbugs and how they live, with a strong focus on working scientifically to make observations and identifications.

Science

 

Years 3 to 4

Boy outdoors drinking from a water fountain

Looking after our water

Simple, hands-on activities to build students’ understanding of the water cycle, alternative water sources, and the importance of using water wisely.

Science, Geography

Renewable energy at the Western Treatment Plant

What ends up at the sewage treatment plant

Learn about sewage’s journey to the plant, and what not to put down drains. This lesson plan can also be used with our guided tours of the Western Treatment Plant.

Science

People walking down a concrete concourse carrying umbrellas

Stormwater in the urban environment

Explore the journey of stormwater and its impact on waterways. This lesson plan can also be used with our Stormwater Model, available at our Education Centre.

Science, Geography

semi aquatic Plenty River plants

Turbidity and erosion

Explore the link between turbidity (a measure of water clarity) and erosion, and the impact on the survival of living things in freshwater environments.

Science, Geography

Waterboatmen waterbug

The life of waterbugs

Observe the key features of waterbugs and consider how they are intrinsic to their survival in waterways.

Science, Geography

Brown Tree frog

Meet the frogs

Learn about the different frog species living in Melbourne's distinct waterway ecosystems, and how they've evolved to survive there.

Science, Digital technologies

Litter Trackers Merri Creek

Litter Trackers project (Years 3-6) 

These activities focus on the Litter Trackers project, where 100 bottles containing GPS trackers were released into waterways to trace the journey of litter.

Geography, Digital technologies

 

Years 5 to 6

The Cocoroc heritage listed water tank.

From past to present at the Western Treatment Plant

Discover the history of Melbourne’s sewerage system, and the land’s importance to Traditional Owners and the urban water cycle.

Science, History and culture

Stormwater system at Pilot Park

Why worry about stormwater

Investigate stormwater processes in your local catchment and how it is managed in Melbourne, including Water Sensitive Urban Design practices.

Science, Geography, Digital technologies

Yarra River at sunset

Increased nutrients in the waterway

Learn how extra nutrients in common household products impact water quality, upon entering a waterway via the stormwater system.

Science, Geography

Children looking at waterbug samples

Waterbug and platypus adaptations

Explore the different ways waterbugs obtain their oxygen. Identify waterbugs in a sample and draw conclusions about waterway health.

Science, Geography

Kids looking for frogs

Frog habitats

Discover where frogs live and what helps them survive there, and learn about the effect of environmental changes on frog populations.

Science, Geography, Digital technologies

Litter Trackers Merri Creek

Litter Trackers project (Years 3-6)

These activities focus on the Litter Trackers project, where 100 bottles containing GPS trackers were released into waterways to trace the journey of litter.

Geography, Digital technologies

 

Years 7 to 8

Western Treatment Plant

Micro-organisms at work at the sewage treatment plant

Study bacteria in sewage treatment, the effects of aerating water, how gravity transports sewage, and chemicals in laundry detergents.

Science

Aerial view of sewage treatment lagoons at the Western Treatment Plant

Western Treatment Plant virtual tour activities

This lesson plan is designed for students visiting the plant – in person or via our virtual tour.

Geography

Raingarden in Melbourne with the MCG in the background

Raingardens: managing our stormwater

Learn how raingardens protect rivers and creeks from stormwater pollution, and how you can build one.

Geography

Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog

Exploring our frogs

Study your local frogs to learn about biological classification, ecosystem processes and humans’ impact on the environment.

Science, Digital technologies

Child with microscope identifying waterbugs

Identifying waterbugs

Explore the identification, classification and feeding relationships of organisms using local waterbugs – key indicators of waterway health.

Science

Dights Falls

Fishways: managing our waterways

Discover the history of the artificial Dights Falls weir, its impact on native fish, and the site's importance to the traditional owners.

Geography, History and culture

Litter Trackers Merri Creek

Litter Trackers project (Years 7-10)

These activities focus on the Litter Trackers project, where 100 bottles containing GPS trackers were released into waterways to trace the journey of litter.

Science, Geography

 

Years 9 to 10

Lesueurs Frog

Saving our frogs

Students focus on the biology and ecology of two threatened frog species, learning how frog populations are managed to enhance recovery.

Science

Growling Grass Frog

Using data to manage our frogs

Focusing on the growling grass frog, students learn about urbanisation and frog biology to identify future urban growth hotspots impacting habitat.

Geography, Digital technologies

Lagoons at the Western Treatment Plant

Cleaning up sewage

Focus on sewage treatment at the Western Treatment Plant: key processes, biogas, the nitrogen cycle, dissolved oxygen and aquatic ecosystems.

Science, Geography

Litter Trackers Merri Creek

Litter Trackers project (Years 7-10)

These activities focus on the Litter Trackers project, where 100 bottles containing GPS trackers were released into waterways to trace the journey of litter.

Science, Geography

 

River Detectives

River Detectives logo

The River Detectives sustainability program supports teachers to explore their local rivers and creeks with students.

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