A group of environmental champions at Maitland Public School aren’t waiting until adulthood to change the world.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The school invited Year 3 and 4 children to participate in a special water testing program in association with Hunter Land Services.
Children were required to submit an application, in which they detailed why they wanted to be a part of it.
On Monday, which just happened to be the start of International Water Week, the pupils visited the Hunter River at Lorn to begin their project.
Assistant principal Alison Coombs the program was open ended and would continue until the team of mini-environmentalists had come up with a solution.
“We decided we wanted to do some project-based learning that was authentic and real for kids in their local environment,” she said.
“They are a very dedicated group of students who are passionate about our local environment.
“They had to fill in an application form, supported by their parents, knowing they would be required to do extra work.”
Program activities include water testing and identifying problems and pollutants with the water, followed by researching ways to improve water quality and presenting a proposal for change.
“This is the sort of way we’re moving into things with kids,” Ms Coombs said.
“They’re the ones doing the research, they’re the ones invested in it and they’re the ones that come up with the ideas.
“It’s something more and more schools are moving into for sure.
“They’re really keen and it’s really nice that kids this age really care for their local environment and want to do something about making the world a better place for future generations.
“They really world aware; they know the state the world is in.
“We’ve been looking into the great barrier reef and the problems with our water, how pollution gets in there and the affect of it, so this is just like a natural follow on for them.”
Hunter Land Services will lend the water testing kit to the school to assist in the ongoing project.
While you're with us, do you know the Maitland Mercury is now offering breaking news alerts and tri-weekly email newsletters? Keep up-to-date with all the local news – sign up here.