Point Nepean National Park hosts students to show us a greener future

Thursday 6 September, 2012

Students from 9 local schools reversed roles with their teachers yesterday and shared their own environmental research with classmates and the Mornington Peninsula community as part of Australia Post Kids Teaching Kids Week (Monday 27 – Friday 31 August).

Australia Post Kids Teaching Kids Week is a national program where more than 10,000 students will be looking at locally relevant environmental issues such as climate change, water, waste, conservation, energy, drought, population and pollution.

The 225 students participated in a number of workshops and activities around important local environmental issues, such as the aquatic environment, plastic in our oceans, biodiversity, recycling and renewable energy. They then shared their findings with peers and the broader community.

Kids Teaching Kids Founder and Managing Director, Arron Wood said that by leading their own research and discussion on the environment, kids become more engaged in the classroom, are more confident and develop a greater respect for the environment and for each other.

“The world our kids are growing up in is changing rapidly. With the boom in alternative energy and the increasing impacts of global climate change it is absolutely vital that they are engaged today to understand the world they’ll be living in tomorrow,” said Mr Wood.

“We have also found that the Kids Teaching Kids model helps students to develop a sense of connection with their local community and involvement with real local issues,” he said.

The schools will join over 500 other schools taking part in Australia Post Kids Teaching Kids week across Australia in 2012.

Kristen Jackson, Acting Manager Point Nepean,is delighted with the students’ Australia Post Kids Teaching Kids projects and believes the students have developed a real respect for the environment and the confidence to share their ideas with others.

“The students have worked hard to bring this program together and through teamwork and mutual respect they have delivered an amazing event.”

“It gives students the unique opportunity to step out of the classroom for a day and reverse the role with their teachers by leading the debate on the environment, and what a perfect spot to learn in – one of Victoria’s most stunning and diverse national parks.”

Australia Post will be helping schools across Australia connect by updating each other using the new Postcards app. For more information on the app, visit www.auspost.com.au/about-us/mobile-postcards-app.html.

Kids Teaching Kids is a multi-award winning program which has inspired more than 55,000 children across Australia to learn and care for their environment since its inception 13 years ago. The day at Point Nepean is proudly supported by Parks Victoria and the People and Parks Foundation.