Document Actions
River Eco Centre Provides Hands-on Learning for Boys
While Year 6 boys were enjoying the Sailing Experience initiative on the Swan River last week, Year 5 students were embarking on another new activity along the Canning River. Each class had an opportunity to visit the Canning River Eco Education Centre (CREEC), on the banks of the Kent Street Weir, for some hands-on learning.
CREEC, which opened in 2008, aims to increase awareness and understanding of the Canning River and the Canning River Regional Park through environmental primary and secondary education programmes and activities.
The boys were introduced to the structure of water catchments, using a scale model, and discussed how industry, water pollution and future use affected water resources and the bioindicators of the river system. Using nets, the boys were able to scoop up a cross-section sample near the banks, which they later examined to look for microinvertebrates found in the river.
Year 5 teacher Andrew Lane, who organised the visits, said the boys had enjoyed the centre’s boy-friendly activities. He said the excursion, which increased the boys’ awareness of how peoples’ actions affected the river system, tied in nicely with the boys’ studies on catchment and water cycles in the classroom. “The boys will also be able to relate the exercise their outdoor education experience at Kooringal.”
The first of the Year 5 camps, held at the School’s outdoor education facility Kooringal, near Dwellingup, departs this week. Here, is where the boys begin to develop an appreciation of the natural environment, through first-hand experience, in a setting where they must take responsibility for their actions.