Sustainability education resources for schools

In addition to Mornington Peninsula Shire's Sustainability Education Program for Schools, there are many online resources available.

Volunteering opportunities

Check out Coastcare Victoria's interactive map.

Citizen science opportunities

• Every September, Mornington Peninsula students and residents can get involved in the Bio Blitz! Find out more Aug-Sept each year here.
• iNaturalist Australia - Record observations of species which are verified by experts and inform scientists
• ReefWatch - Marine citizen science
• Help study plastic pollution on our beaches - Litter Surveys - Port Phillip EcoCentre
• Help report the Asian Shore Crab in Port Phillip Bay - Community Rapid Response Teams | Our Community Programs | EcoCentre

Sustainability resources

• Resource Smart Schools is a Victorian Government initiative that assist schools to embed Sustainability in their everyday practices. There are 5 modules schools can complete. 
• Calculate your ecological footprint 
• Cool Australia has student lessons plans and worksheets linked to the curriculum  

Biodiversity

• Learn more about the Shire's biodiversity 
• Explore what to plant in your area on the Briars Nursery 
• Atlas of Living Australia has some great classroom activities that align with the Australian Curriculum. There are activities available for all ages from Prep through Year 12.   
• Explore the wildlife of the Peninsula and how you can protect it  
• Birdlife Australia has hands-on activities where sharing knowledge and experiences is emphasised  
• Get involved with community environmental work 
• Mornington Peninsula Landcare Network often offer opportunities for students to participate in hands-on community projects

Waste

• Our Waste Future outlines our plan to reduce our collective waste to landfill 
• Food and Green Waste kerbside service is now available to schools and ELCs 
• Resource Smart Schools, run by CERES, has a range of useful audit tools and more in the Waste Module helping schools minimise waste sent to landfill 
• Learn about you can and can't put in your household recycling bin  
• How to get involved in National Recycling Week - Planet Ark  
• Composting & worm farm rebates are available for schools and for the classroom- Compost Community kids activities
• Take 3 for the sea
• Zoo's Victoria information on the impact of releasing balloons   

Climate change

• Switched on Schools has a range of resources produced by the Australian Youth Climate Coalition to engage students with climate change, providing detail and project guides for high school students to run campaigns across food, biodiversity, waste, transport, energy and climate justice. 
• Classroom Antarctica is a comprehensive online teaching resource produced by the Australian Antarctic Division, aimed at grades 5 to 8.  
• Sustainable Futures is an educational program that combines the latest in climate science with education in sustainability for students in years 3 – 9.  

Our coasts

• Dolphin Research Institute has a variety of educational programs
• Coastcare Victoria Schools Kit

Water

• Melbourne Water’s Teachers Resources come with videos, fact sheets and booklets about Melbourne’s water resources  
• Learn all about water and saving water on the Peninsula.  
• Track your water usage and learn more about water efficiency with the School Water Efficiency Program

Sustainable gardening

• School Kitchen Garden support and educational resources, see Stephanie Alexander's Kitchen Garden Foundation

Composting and worm farming for schools webinar  

 

 Climate anxiety webinar

Psychologist and Adjunct Associate Professor Dr Susie Burke discusses how teachers, parents and carers can help young people cope with climate change.