Study Guide written & edited by Megan Dredge. Additional writing by Max Schintler. Design by Shane Dunne.

Study Guide Episode 8

22

SynopsisThree schools. Three Australian states. Three missions. In this episode of Project Planet, the journey of our three schools and their quest to become sustainable culminates in three very different ways. From constructing a sustainable oasis, to making a mural with a message, to rapping it out with a song full of purpose, our Waste Warriors have truly made a difference on this beautiful planet.

A Time To CelebrateBig changes have origins in small beginnings. An ancient Chinese proverb says, ‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with a one small step.” Throughout this series of Project Planet, we’ve explored many issues and challenges relevant to sustainability. People all over Australia, and around the world, are making small changes to their daily lives. These little changes, when combined together and repeated over a long period of time, are having a significant impact.

Here are a few examples of how big changes can be seen by simply starting small.

Single-Use PlasticMajor Australian supermarkets have banned single use plastic bags from their checkouts and an Australian senate inquiry has recommended we get rid of ALL single-use plastics by 2023.

Fossil Fuels By the end of 2016, 688 organisations around the world had pulled their money out of fossil fuels… People want their energy from renewable resources.

Food WasteThe Australian government has a plan to halve food waste by 2030

Flora and FaunaIndigenous Rangers around the country are maintaining and helping to protect Australia’s flora and fauna.

You are part of a global movement. This means you are not alone! Just like the waste warriors and their sidekicks, WE can make a difference – together!

“Big transformations have their origins in small beginnings.”Lawrence, Project Planet Champion

33

one - AskQuestions to ask before, during and after viewing the episode

Before• What is a mural? What might be the reasons people design and make a mural?• How many litres of water do you think would be used each time a person takes a shower?• What do you think a ‘carbon footprint’ is?

During• Some major supermarkets have banned single use plastic bags from their checkouts. How do you think this will influence the behaviour of people who shop there?• The students at Taroona High School had a Zero Waste Festival. What are the benefits of specifically inviting members of the community to be part of your sustainability journey?

After• What can/can’t be put into a worm farm?• Where could you take your own bottle, bowl or cutlery so that you don’t need to use single-use plastic items?• What are the 5 R’s?

Relevant Links & ResourcesShower Head Water Flow Test https://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/water-volumes-worksheet.pdf

Kids: Write Your Own Rap Song http://raisingcreativechildren.net/6-steps-for-kids-to-start-creating-rap-music-2/

Everyday Items You May Be Banned From Using In The Future https://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/conservation/everyday-items-you-may-be-banned-from-using-in-the-near-future/news-story/7e19ba391d643674ef55573c288068bf

The Rangers in Kakadu https://parksaustralia.gov.au/kakadu/discover/nature/animals/

44

TWO - AcquireImportant vocabulary phrases and important facts to look for and to learn in this episode.

Vocabulary:• carbon footprint• atmosphere• soft plastic• carbon dioxide• biodegradable• single-use plastic• zero waste lunchbox• clothing swap• oasis

Important Facts:• The students at Berry Springs saved 55,000 litres of water per year. This is the equivalent of 900 showers!• The 5 R’s – Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Renew, Recycle.• Growing and harvesting your own food is an easy (and yummy) way to reduce food waste.• Reducing our carbon footprint as individuals, families, schools and communities is everyone’s responsibility.

THREE - ApplySuggested activities and discussion starters to do with your class. These can be individual, with a partner, in a small group, and also to the whole class.

SelfSmall steps to sustainability can make a difference in homes, schools and communities. What are 5 small steps you can take towards being more sustainable?

PartnerJayden acknowledged that challenges can sometimes be a bit nerve-wracking, and teaching your community how to live sustainably requires courage and commitment. Jayden also said, “WE can do it.” Why is it important to partner with others when making changes that will impact the planet?

“It’s going to be scary, but we can do it.”Jayden, Waste Warrior, Berry Springs Primary School

55

GroupNaomi said this when talking about making the mural by reusing plastic. What are the benefits of getting other people involved in sustainability? Why is the contribution of many important?

Class“Big transformations have their origins in small beginnings.” Lawrence, Project Planet Champion

What a powerful statement! Discuss this as a class and give some examples of things that started small yet progressed into something significant. How does this statement relate to sustainability?

“We want the community to help us make the mural.”Naomi, Waste Warrior, Taroona High School

66

Four - ActivateHelping your students devise ways of actively implementing what they have learned.

Activate #1 – Being Water Wise

How can you apply this statement to yourself, your family, your school and your community? What are some ways you can be more water wise? What would this look like practically?

Me: What can I do?

Us: What can my family do?

My School: What can we do?

My Community: What can we all do?

Activate #2 – The 5 R’sThe Waste Warrior team at Taroona High School focused on the 5 R’s.

What are the 5 R’s? (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Renew, Recycle) Give an example of each one. List two ways you could incorporate each one into your daily life.

“Being water wise is the way of the future.”Lawrence, Project Planet Champion

77

Five - AlignConsolidating and extending student learning by aligning with other Key Learning Areas in the curriculum.

English/Music – Write Your Own Rap SongLink:

http://raisingcreativechildren.net/6-steps-for-kids-to-start-creating-rap-music-2/

Writing a rap song, like the students did at Berry Springs, provides students with the opportunity to get their sustainability message out, to express themselves, and to consolidate their learning. Compose your own rap song, identifying the major messages of sustainability that you want to share with your school community.

Personal and Social Capability – An Important Part of the National CurriculumPersonal and social capability is one of the seven General Capabilities of the Australian Curriculum. It’s all about students learning to understand themselves and others and managing their relationships.

In this episode, one of the Waste Warriors from Berry Springs Primary School makes an important reflection on completing their school’s sustainability mission. He said, “We were working together, helping each other out. It’s so much better when you have your friends there as well.”

Why is it important to work together? What role do friends and other important relationships have when it comes to making small daily lifestyle challenges in order to live more cleanly? How can you harness the power of friendship to communicate your message even more clearly?

“We were working together, helping each other out. It’s so much better when you have your friends there as well.”

Max, Waste Warrior, Berry Springs Primary School

88

HASS – Saving Water PosterWe use water every day in our homes. From brushing our teeth to cooking our food to watering our gardens, water is an important part of our everyday lives.

There are many ways to save water in your home. Using the questions below, design a poster encouraging everyone in your family not to waste water. Perhaps you could also include ways you and your family can reuse water.

• Has anyone ever taken an extra long shower in your house?• Do you leave the tap running whilst you brush your teeth?• Do you leave the sprinkler going on your garden?• Are there any taps inside or outside your home that drip?• Do you pour extra or leftover water down the sink?• Do you catch the water as you wash your fruit or veges? What could you do with that water (instead of letting it run down the sink)?• Are your washing machine and dishwasher high efficiency machines?• Do you have dual-flush toilets?• Is your pool covered? (to prevent evaporation)• Do you collect your rainwater and use it for something else?

99

Be Water Wise In Your Shower!

How many litres of water did the Berry Springs Waste Warriors save per year?

How many showers does this equate to?

How many showers do you have per year?

What could you do to reduce the amount of water you use in each shower?

What could your family do to reduce the amount of water used?

How could you motivate your family to reduce their water consumption? List 5 ways.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Worksheet

“I don’t even shower that much!”Sumaiya, Waste Warrior, Berry Springs Primary School

1010

Plastic Free AlternativesWhat things could be used in place of these common every day plastic items? Think of your own too. NB: Use the last three spaces to think of three of your own.

Worksheet

Plastic Item Use this instead

Plastic wrap/cling film

Bin liner

Single use water bottle

Baby nappies

Takeaway coffee cup

Zip lock bag

Single use straw

Shopping bag

Food packaged individual-ly e.g. chip packets, muesli bar wrappers

Coffee pod/capsules

Boxes of tea bags

Disposable utensils