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2010 Kids Teaching Kids Conference16 – 17 August Albury, Australia

2010 Kids Teaching Kids Conference2

Steering Committee

Steering CommitteeMargot Hislop – Murray-Darling Basin Authority

John Hawkins – Wonga Wetlands, Albury City Council

Kim Krebs – Murray CMA

Sandy Dellwo – Murray CMA

David Ponsford – Parks Victoria

Carolyn Humby – School Environment Education Directory (SEED), Nth East Victoria

Sue Skate – Charles Sturt University

Hayley Foots – Charles Sturt University

Conference StaffArron Wood – Director, Kids Teaching Kids

Michelle Pipino – Project Manager

Richard Wood – Education Manager

Cat Kozlowski – Education Officer

Cathy Reade – Media Manager

Maila Belangel – Conference Administration

TBJ Creative – Graphic Design

Contact UsKids Teaching KidsPO Box 692 North Melbourne Victoria 3051 Telephone 03 9329 3736 Facsimile 03 9329 3550 info@kidsteachingkids.com.au www.kidsteachingkids.com.au

Kids Teaching Kids Program of events, 2010Australia Post Kids Teaching Kids Week National, 30 Aug – 3 Sept 2010

South Australian Kids Teaching Kids ConferenceAdelaide, 14 – 15 Sept 2010

International Kids Teaching Kids Coastal ConferenceQueensland, 17 – 19 Oct 2010

Australia Post Kids Teaching Kids

Week 2011

Join thousands of students and teachers around the nation

doing their bit to help save our spectacular environment

during Australia Post Kids Teaching Kids Week.

The Kids Teaching Kids Program engages students

in learning about the environment through a flexible

curriculum framework. During Australia Post Kids

Teaching Kids Week participating students will present

their workshop within their school and/or local community;

or schools may choose to host a mini-conference and

invite other schools to attend.

For more information visit

www.kidsteachingkids.com.au

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A word from Kids Teaching KidsWelcome students and teachers to the Kids Teaching Kids Conference, proudly supported by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority. Over the next two days you will be a part of a very special experience.

I want to encourage you to enjoy this experience through seeing the Conference as your own mini world. In this mini world we can all take one small step in tackling some very big issues such as acceptance, tolerance and care for human beings. Show respect for your fellow participants, involve others in your discussions and get as much as you can from the fantastic workshops, performances and speakers.

I have huge admiration for the students and teachers that make the effort to get to an event like the Kids Teaching Kids Conference. With firsthand knowledge of the workloads that schools face I want to thank you for your involvement.

The Conference is about first capturing the passion for our environment (the heart), then allowing

the head to follow through development of the student workshops (the head) and finally taking the understanding through to on ground action in the environmental project (the hand).

Remember to enjoy yourself, make new friends and remember that we can all do something for the environment – no matter how insignificant we think it may be.

Arron Wood and Richard WoodFounders Kids Teaching Kids

Over 20,000

students have participated

in Kids Teaching

Kids

What is Kids Teaching KidsKids Teaching Kids is a school-based education model that inspires young people to learn and care for their local environment. Kids Teaching Kids uses local environmental issues as a theme for learning. The Kids Teaching Kids Learning Model use ‘peer teaching and learning’ pedagogy – where the traditional role of teacher and student change. The teachers become the facilitators and the students are empowered to take responsibility for their own learning. Through the education techniques offered in the KidsTeaching Kids Learning Model, students learn with their head, heart and hand. In other words, students are encouraged into thinking, feeling and developing practical ways to respond to the challenges facing our environment.

The learning theory underpinning this Conference is based on what is called the ‘constructivist’ approach. This simply means that the learner actively ‘constructs’ his/her own learning from his/her own experiences. Constructivists believe that students need to have some interest in the content; they need to have some input in deciding what they will learn.

The learning pyramid shows that students might only retain 5% of knowledge through lecture, and in contrast, students retain up to 90% through teaching others. If we were to consider the average retention rate, we would create more opportunities for students to teach others what they have learnt.

Students that are participating in the Kids Teaching Kids Conference are joining a network of over 20,000 students from across Australia that have participated in the Kids Teaching Kids program since its inception in 1999.

2010 Kids Teaching Kids Conference4

The Learning Pyramid average retention rateAdapted from Edgar Dale, Audio Visual Methods in Teaching, Holt, Rinehart and Winston

Why Kids Teaching Kids?When students teach other students something powerful takes place in both the presenters and their audience. We talk of empowerment but it is more about students seeing a purpose for their learning and a responsibility to present their findings to others to the best of their ability. So many things are beyond our control in these troubled times, through the Kids Teaching Kids approach, students have the ability to take control and demonstrate to others that there still is an opportunity to make a difference in the world.

In doing so they research an environmental issue thoroughly, from all sides of the argument, using industry or enlightened individuals as mentors.

The Conference will aim to develop a resilient child. A child, who is motivated, has high self esteem and respect for others. In this way the Conference seeks to promote the virtues of a well rounded and balanced individuals, working as a team to face a common goal – to improve the health of our environment. Students that have access to this type of learning will be more able to promote a sense of community as they become leaders and decision makers themselves.

So many things are beyond our control in these troubled times. Through the Kids Teaching Kids approach, students have the ability to take control and demonstrate to others that there is still an opportunity to make a difference in the world.

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Students learn to

be active, engaged citizens

2010 Kids Teaching Kids Conference6

Conference ProgramKids Teaching Kids Conference 16 – 17 August 2010

Time Event and Location

8.30amRegistration at Conference Venue: Albury Entertainment Centre Welcome Breakfast

9.30am Conference Welcome – MC Arron Wood

9.40amWelcome to Country Yalmambirra, Wiradjuri Council of Elders

9.45amIndigenous Opening Performance Benji Davidson

9.55amOpening School Performance Diamond Creek Primary School

10.05amOfficial Conference Launch Neil Ward, Director of Indigenous Engagement, Murray-Darling Basin Authority

10.20am Morning Tea

10.50am – 11.50am

Expert Panel: Water for Our Future – River Health and Climate Change

Moderator, Arron Wood Neil Ward, Director of Indigenous Engagement, MDBA Alex Anthony, Chair of the Murray Catchment Management Authority Tamara Boyd, State-wide Ecological Water Manager, Parks Victoria Prue Addlem, Modernisation Coordinator, Northern Victorian Irrigation Renewal Project

12.00pmLunch Presenting schools to prepare for their workshops

12.35pm Workshop Session 1 (5 Concurrent Workshops)

1.15pmWorkshop Session 1 endStudents to rotate workshops

1.20pm Workshop Session 2 (5 Concurrent Workshops)

2.00pm Afternoon Tea

2.30pm Workshop Session 3 (5 Concurrent Workshops)

3.10pmWorkshop Session 3 end Students to rotate activities

3.15pm Workshop Session 4 (5 Concurrent Workshops)

3.55pm All students to make their way back to Banquet Room

4.00pmKids Teaching Kids School Certificates presented by Australia Post Housekeeping and Day Close

Day 1Monday 16 August

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Time Event and Location

6.30pm

Conference Gala Dinner

Gala Dinner MC: Natalie Hunter Opening Performance: The Flying Fruit Fly Circus Special guest: Dylan McNeil, Sydney Swans Football Players Music Performance by Benny Walker

8.40pmGala Dinner CloseStudents to be picked up

Day 1Gala Dinner

Neil Ward, Director of Indigenous Engagem

ent, MD

BA

Natalie Hunter, TV Presenter

Ben

ny W

alke

r, Musician

Join thousands of students and teachers to help save our spectacular environment

Students gain a sense of possibility

for change

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Conference ProgramEnvironmental Project Day at Wonga Wetlands

Time Event and Location

8.15am Breakfast at Conference Venue: Albury Entertainment Centre

9.00am Students to board buses to Environmental Project Site

9.30am

Entire Group Introduction to Environmental Project Site and Official Launch

MC, Arron Wood John Hawkins, Albury City Council

9.50am – 10.30am 1st Hands on Environmental Activities Commence (13 hands on activities)

10.40am – 11.20am 2nd Environmental Activity Commence (13 hands on activities)

11.30am – 12.10pm 3rd Environmental Activity Commence (13 hands on activities)

12.10pm – 12.40pm Lunch

12.50pm – 1.20pm 4th Environmental Activity Commence (13 hands on activities)

1.30pm Student Reflection Session and Official Conference Close

1.55pm Students board buses back to Albury Entertainment Centre

2.15pm Students to be collected from Albury Entertainment Centre

Day 2Tuesday 17 August

Don’t forget to

bring your Australia Post hat and water

bottle!

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Activity Title Organisation Organisation Activity Description

Water Critters Wonga WetlandsCollection and identification of macro invertebrates from the wetlands

Native Fish vs Alien Fish

Murray-Darling Basin Authority and DSE (Arthur Rylah Institute)

Through this hands on activity students will be educated about the issue of alien fish – how they are introduced, what are their impacts and what can be done to manage them

Sustainable Camping Challenge

Parks VictoriaStudents will assess camp sites and identify what is wrong at each scenario from a safety, community and environmental perspective

Wildlife Webs Murray CMAStudents will be working together to stimulate wildlife/ food webs in different areas on a property looking at the wildlife connections

Let’s Get Dirty – Soil Texturing & Soil Bugs

Murray CMAThis activity will educate students on the importance of soil within our landscape, in particular to agriculture & natural resource management

Cultural Catch-up Charles Sturt UniversityStudents will participate in a traditional smoking ceremony and cultural activities

Plant Identification Charles Sturt UniversityDuring this activity, students will collect and identify the native species located at the wetlands

Fish Trapping and Netting

Charles Sturt University

This activity will demonstrate a range of fish/shrimp netting and trapping sampling techniques. Show how they are deployed into the waterways in an ethical way. Attempt to catch shrimp and show 3 species that are found in wetlands, river and Murray Darling Basin

Channel leaking Detectives

Victorian Office of Water, Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE)

Students will act as channel leakage detectives to look for, identify and pick a leaking channel

Waste Wise NevRwasteLearn about why waste matters to the environment and what the 3 Rs are. Participate in a recycling relay

Stormwater Catchment Model

North East CMAStudents will have a better understanding where our water comes from, and the range of pollutants that can impact our waterways

Mini Filtration Systems

North East WaterMake you own mini filtering systems to explore your understanding of Catchments and Water Treatment

Bird Box Building BunningsMake your own bat box that can be taken back to school or donated to Wonga Wetlands

Environmental Project Day Activities

The Environmental Project Day takes our passion for the environment (our heart), what we have learnt through the workshop process (the head) and shows us that we also need to take action (the hand) to realise true change. Any one of these elements, the heart, head or hand, in isolation is not enough to bring about the cultural change needed to secure our future.

Get the most out of each activity, support each other and know that you are doing something tangible at the 2010 Kids Teaching Kids Conference.

Delegates MUST wear long sleeves, long pants and covered shoes to take part in the environmental project day. You will not be able to take part in the activities if you are not wearing appropriate clothing. Please make sure you have a raincoat, sunscreen, warm clothes and a hat. Pack for all weather.

Wonga Wetlands

Kids Teaching Kids Workshops

Ballarat Christian CollegeThe Creek

Students will present the alternative Year 9 Creek program. The students will share how they have rehabilitated the area surrounding the creek making it a safe haven and beneficial environment for many organisms. Students have performed weekly water tests as well as maintenance activities to help sustain the progress of the creek. Students have also worked on their own veggie patches to reduce their food mileage.

Copperfield CollegeIs the water cycle the canary in the coal mine for climate change?

Join Copperfield College’s Environmental Leadership Team as they explore how the global water cycle acts like the canary in the coal mine for climate change. Investigate how water throughout the world is displaced and is changing the environment at all levels (backyard, locally and globally). Their terrarium building, water testing, power pointing and environmental chanting workshop is sure to ruffle some feathers

Drouin Secondary CollegeWhere are the wonderful wetlands?

Over the past year, Drouin Secondary College students have been working towards restoring the wetland region in their school farming area. In the past this area has had cattle walking through the marshes, killing the plants and fish and eroding the banks. In this workshop you will go through the journey of the wetlands and understand the delicate balance between people and the environment and how we can help rather than hurt our environment.

Epping Views Primary SchoolDesalination in Victoria – Disgusting or Digestible

Students will present a workshop centered around the process of desalination, how the desalination plant is being built in Victoria and provide alternatives for the government to consider to help secure Victoria’s water supply. The desalination plant is a prominent issue in Victoria and we will debate the importance of this infrastructure being built in Australian cities.

Flying Fruit Fly Circus SchoolThe Litter Ninjas

Do you have what it takes to be a Litter Ninja? What does rubbish on the ground in Albury Wodonga have to do with whale watching? Do you know how litter affects the world? What about the whales? Find out answers to these questions and many more as you go on a Ninja Adventure to save the WORLD from the evil corporation types and unthinking school children too. You will have an opportunity to try some hands-on activities and even win some SIK prizes.

Irymple Secondary CollegeBattle of the Species: Cod vs Carp

A fun interactive performance that will keep you entertained. Irymple Secondary College will teach you important facts and information about native and introduced fish species living within Australia. Let us keep you intrigued whilst we show you a fun and exciting way to learn about native species such as the Murray Cod as well as introduced species like the Carp. We hope you enjoy our presentation.

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“We have found that when kids teach kids something magical happens.”Richard WoodCo-founder, Kids Teaching Kids

Mildura West Primary SchoolGhastly Guests

Water pollutants cause havoc in our rivers. Who are the guilty guests in the Murray River? Blue green algae is on trial as the worst pollutant. However is this true? Maybe there are lots of guilty ghastly guests? What actions can we take to prevent water pollutants? Join in and persuade others through an artistic presentation to keep pollutants out of the river. Every person will identify an action to save waterways from ghastly guests and act on their action when going back to their own community.

Sacred Heart Catholic SchoolMaking a difference in our patch

During our investigations we have looked closely at how salinity and biodiversity loss have effected our catchment. We then examined ways that we can respond to these challenges in our own backyards using the work of Erin Earth as a model. Our presentation will involve informing others about salinity, in particular urban salinity, and biodiversity loss and how Erin Earth has addressed this and how we will try to address these issues in our playground.

St Joseph’s Primary SchoolThe Regent Honeyeater Project Challenge

Our presentation will be a recap of the challenge the students have participated in as part of an education program ran by the Taronga Zoo staff. Workshop participants will learn about the Regent Honeyeater and how the students at St Joseph’s Primary School are working to inform and raise the awareness in the community about the importance of this animal to out town.

St. Francis of the Fields Primary SchoolDon’t let your rubbish run down the drain

Students will demonstrate and inform the audience about a project they have been working on which reaches into the broader community with the aim to educate about the effects of littering on our stormwater system and local waterways.

Diamond Creek Primary SchoolThe Diamond Creek Road Show

Ever wondered what happens when you take a bunch of environmentally savvy kids, a couple of dedicated teachers and a mini bus? Well wonder no more as the Diamond Creek Primary School takes centre stage to share in their environmental adventure.

Main stage performance

“Kids Teaching Kids is a great idea – I am glad I was part of this program.”Callum, Student, Tamworth Public School, New South Wales

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Sponsors

Kids Teaching Kids

PO Box 692 North Melbourne Victoria 3051 Telephone 03 9329 3736 Facsimile 03 9329 3550info@kidsteachingkids.com.au www.kidsteachingkids.com.au

Conference Supporters

School Environment Education Directory (SEED) North East School of Environmental Sciences, Charles Sturt University Wonga Wetlands Mallee CMA Bunnings

Official Transport Partner

Bronze Sponsors

Principal SponsorNaming Rights