About the Australian Water Education Toolkit
Being aware of how water is used in Australia and learning to save water through the use of more water efficient measures at home, work and school, are just some of the ways we can better adapt to Australia's water challenges. The Australian Government's new Water Education Toolkit provides Australian teachers with access to hundreds of water education materials through one convenient and easy to use portal. This site can be found at: www.environment.gov.au/wet
What is the Water Education Toolkit and how can it help teachers?
Water is a popular subject in the classroom, from science and geography to human resources and cultural studies. As a teacher, much time can be spent looking for the right resources to help your students understand different water concepts.
With the launch of the Australian Government's Water Education Toolkit, finding the right water education resource for your classroom just became much easier.
The classroom provides a great environment for children and young adults to learn about water issues and incorporate water savvy behavior into their everyday lives.
Created out of a need to consolidate the vast amount of water education material available on the web, the Water Education Toolkit brings together more than 650 national, state, territory, regional and urban water education resources into one easily accessible, convenient and comprehensive web portal.
The Water Education Toolkit has resources covering topics such as the biology and geology of water, domestic water use and use by industry, Australia's water resources and the role water has played in Australia's history. Teachers will be able to find case-studies, lesson plans, visual aids, in-class activities, Indigenous cultural resources, informational resources, games, experiments and more.
The Water Education Toolkit provides teachers with better access to a multitude of water curriculum and resource material. It aims to enhance students understanding and awareness of this valued natural resource and presents the opportunity for a wider scope of water issues to be incorporated into the classroom.
Searching the Water Education Toolkit
Water education resources are grouped under four main themes: managing water, water in the environment, water basics and water issues. Managing water explores how water is used by businesses, households, industry and by individuals. It also looks at the sustainable management of our water resources, catchment and water quality management and how Australia can protect and maintain its water supplies.
Water in the environment examines where water comes from, how the water cycle works, water in biology and in ecosystems, how water sustains life on earth and why water is so important to the environment.
Water issues explores global water issues such as rainfall, flooding and drought and the predicted effects of climate change. Water issues also looks at how water has shaped Australia's history, how Australians use their water resources and the volumes used.
Water basics addresses the core elements of understanding water, such as its chemical make up and properties, as well as using water to demonstrate concepts in science.
Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI)
The Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI) is a partnership of the Australian Government, the States and Territories that seeks to support schools and their communities to become sustainable. The AuSSI involves participants in a whole-of-school approach, to explore through real-life learning experiences, improvements in a school's management of resources and facilities including energy, waste, water, biodiversity, landscape design, products and materials.
To find out more about AuSSI visit: www.environment.gov.au/education/aussi
Acknowledgements
UniQuest Pty Limited - Delivering innovative university commercialisation services. UniQuest is The University of Queenslands main commercialisation company, and is based at St Lucia in Brisbane.
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Suggest a resource
The Water Education Toolkit is always looking for new water education resources.
If you would like to suggest a resource, use our online resource form.