Numinbah Valley EEC's Primary Programmes are designed to introduce and enhance student awareness of the value of the environment.
FOREST STUDIES
The Centre is surrounded by dry sclerophyll forest with rainforest elements bordering the local waterways. A system of walking tracks allows students to explore and discover the forest and offers chance encounters with local wildlife.
Students are guided along the walks by Centre teachers who convey information on local plants, animals, forest ecology and the history of logging in the area.
This is often the student’s first introduction to the natural environment and all forest walks include sensory awareness experiences and incorporate activities from a variety of key learning areas ( eg Language, Art, Maths, SOSE, and Science).
A variety of walks of varying length can be utilised at the Centre, depending on the abilities and learning needs of the group. The walk can also have a particular emphasis with any of the following themes being incorporated as the main focus.
Activities allow students to use all their senses, help allay their fears, become aware of the natural beauty and develop some understanding of the natural world.
Students look at peoples actions over the last 200 years, and how humans have been responsible for the extinction and vulnerability of many species. The unforgettable sight of the colourful, endangered Glossy Black Cockatoo or the Richmond Birdwing butterfly in the Numinbah Forest helps students to realise these animals are worth saving and how our actions can achieve this.
Students experience first hand the needs of living things and discussion focuses on the interdependence of all living things and their environment. Along the trails students are taught some of the uses of certain plants for food, medicines and tools. We see firsthand how the indigenous people lived in the surrounding areas.
During the walk, students are enlightened to the origins of our invasive weeds and of their destructive consequences for our native plants, animals and reducing of our water quality.
Back to TopRAINFOREST STUDIES
Springbrook National Parks this programme is designed for students to look at different Rainforest types. Students start their day, at Best of All Lookouts where they do a short walk and investigate characteristics of Cool Temperate Rainforest.
We then go to Twin Falls Circuit where students walk through Warm Temperate Rainforests and Subtropical Rainforests, while comparing the different characteristics. On this circuit go through caves behind Waterfalls, look at rock formations and have chance encounters with wildlife.
Natural Bridge National Park this programme is designed for students to look at the Lowland Subtropical Rainforest in detail. The students look at the characteristics of this rainforest, as well as discovering Strangler Figs, Vines, Giant Stinging Trees and some creek life.
This area is unique in its geology with the Natural Bridge being formed from swirling rocks in the pool above eventually breaking a hole through into the cave beneath and allowing the creek to plunge through, leaving the lip of the waterfall as a natural bridge.
Natural Bridge has one of the largest colonies of Glowworms in the caves. Students can learn about the Glowworms, their life cycle and look for their sticky webs.
Back to TopFRESHWATER STUDIES
Students learn through hands-on activities how life present in a waterway can reflect the health of the system. Students catch a range of crustaceans, insect nymphs, amphibians, fish and bethnic life. Through identification sheets students firstly identify the animals and secondly discover what the particular animal tells them about the quality of the water.
Issues dealt with include catchment care and management issues. Staff encourage students to take the skills and knowledge gained back to their local area to see what they can discover about their own catchment and waterways. Metamorphosis can also be a major focus of this activity.
CATCHMENT EXPLORATION
Being located at the junction of the Nerang River, Waterfall Creek and Hinze Dam, the Centre is located at the heart of the catchment for the Gold Coast water supply. This activity allows students to explore both the river catchment and dam storage areas using the Centre’s fleet of canoes. Exploration of the natural surroundings is used as a basis for discussions on water quality, water conservation, catchment management and related land issues. This activity is implemented in conjunction with the Freshwater Study to provide a major focus on water quality issues. Students may also look at the pollution of river systems using an interactive story.
ALTERNATE ENERGY
The Alternative Energy programme deals specifically with two areas. The first deals with the environmental downside of current methods of meeting energy needs. Students learn the process of electricity generation and in particular the pollutants produced in the process. The path of these by-products is followed and students learn about their role in the greenhouse effect and global warming.
The second section looks at alternatives. Environmentally friendly and sustainable energy systems are examined. The main focus is the Centre’s own fully operational solar powered system. Students also handle and experiment with a full range of small gadgets powered by photo-voltaic cells. They also learn of practical applications of the greenhouse effect through a hands-on examination of a solar water heater.
Students can also designed and make their own Solar Boats using a variety of materials provided to them from the Centre. They get to trial their designs before culminating in a series of boat races.
Back to TopWASTE MANAGEMENT
Recycling forms an integral part of camps and day visits at NVEEC. Students are shown how the Centre’s waste is recycled. Composting of food wastes is carried out on site. Students are responsible for putting their own waste into the correct containers during the camp.
Students discuss the waste management problems in society. They are actively involved in a discussion on the problems and the solutions. The students are taught how to compost effectively. The pupils then take a close look at the critters that live in the compost to help break it down.
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BUSH COOKING
This activity is a team building activity. The students are required to gather their own wood to build their fire, then cook Billy Tea and Damper. This activity is weather permitting and may not be suited all year round.
Back to TopENDANGERED SPECIES
This activity is often chosen as a night activity to discuss. Endangered species looks at a variety of local animal species, which are under threat from human pressures. The Richmond Birdwing Butterfly, Glossy Black Cockatoo, Brush-tail Rock Wallaby, the Giant Barred Frog and Eastern Quoll are a few local examples that can be discussed or studied in detail as a case study type investigation. Emphasis is placed on the reason why that species is under threat and what actions students can implement to assist. Ideally, this activity results in a particular action plan that students implement upon returning to school.
INDIGENOUS STUDIES
Students encounter a traditional Aboriginal camp in a forest setting and from their own investigations are able to surmise traditional methods of shelter construction, hunting, food preparation and ceremony.
Staff also relate traditional Aboriginal usage of the area, the main bush foods and other uses of plants. Traditional names for places and local legends are discussed.
Back to TopBLINDFOLD/ TEAM BUILDING ACTIVITIES
These activities focus on giving the students valuable skills in working with others. It also allows students to trust others while being led around while being blindfolded.
Back to TopGLOWWORMS
A visit to Natural Bridge at night constitutes a remarkable and memorable experience.
Observation of the above is all the more intriguing when conducted under the cloak of darkness, which also enables viewing of the large numbers of glowworms. Collectively, these glowworms are considered to constitute the largest colony in Australia.
A Glowworm's colour will be brighter when hungrier, thus attracting food.
PLANTS AND PROPAGATION
The Centre has its own plant nursery to cultivate local species. All plants grown on site are either planted in surrounding revegetation areas or given to local schools or visiting students. Students observe and participate in the full range of plant propagation techniques including seed collection and preparation, germination and seedling raising, potting up as well as growing plants from cuttings. This activity offers hands on work that focuses on many syllabus components concerning plants. Students are encouraged to put their newly developed skills into use back at school.
Back to TopECO ART
The natural beauty of the forests create an aesthetic background for art and poetry activities. Younger children enjoy creating camouflage animals and bush collages while all ages enjoy leaf rubbings, leaf prints, paper making, environmental badge making, painting by the creek and T-shirt art.
Back to TopCLIMBING POLE
The climbing pole is a challenge activity, that enables students to view the forest from a canopy level. It is approximately 12 metres high and students will have a great view of the surrounding environment. The program is only offered to Year 5 and above.
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