Water in the World Day

Water in the World Day – written by 7Blue

On a bright and sunny day, Year 7 Blue students embarked on an exciting fieldwork day for Geography, focusing on water and the environment. The day was packed with six engaging activities: bug collecting, water sampling, a nature walk, artist drawing, learning about First Nations culture, and studying the Hunter Red Gum threatened species.

Nature Walk Adventures Our nature walk along the river was full of discoveries! We saw three different types of poop: bird, dog, and kangaroo. It was fascinating, though a bit smelly. We also encountered bats flying during the day, birds like Magpies, Willie Wagtails, and Cockatoos, and found various feathers and animal bones, including a jawbone with molar teeth and a whole skull.

Insect Exploration During our walk, we observed multiple types of ants, butterflies, a brown moth, a huntsman spider, mosquitoes, flies, a cricket, and a small beetle. This experience helped us appreciate the small details of nature and the living things that surround us every day. Our guide, Mick, was incredibly helpful and kind.

Water Sampling and Sustainability After the nature walk, we conducted water testing on the Hunter River to check its cleanliness. We tested the pH level, salinity, and turbidity. Using a long pole with a small water bottle, we collected water samples and found that the river is in very healthy condition. Our instructor from Muswellbrook Shire Council explained the importance of clean and safe drinking water for future generations.

First Nations Culture with Aunty Wanda We learned about how Aboriginal people lived off the land without modern materials. They used wood and animal skins to carry things and collected water from tree roots and flowing rivers. This knowledge gave us a deeper appreciation for their sustainable practices.

Hunter Red Gum Awareness Did you know that river red gums can grow up to 45 meters tall and live for 500 to 1000 years? Sadly, there are fewer than 1,000 river red gums left, mostly in the Upper Hunter region. We created clay creatures using parts of the river red gum to raise awareness about these special trees and learned how to identify them and the animals that call them home.

Bug Collecting Bug collecting involves gathering bugs from the river to see how many and what species are living there. This helps us understand the health of our river ecosystem.

Artists Drawing Renowned artist Jenny McCracken, known for her captivating street art and murals, conducted a special drawing session. With her extensive experience and creative flair, Jenny guided the us through the process of capturing the beauty of nature in our artwork. She shared valuable techniques and tips, helping us to enhance their observational skills and artistic expression. We looked at many water creatures and learnt how to draw them using a grid.

Our field workday was a valuable learning experience outside the classroom. We would like to thank Jane and her team from Local Land Services for their time and effort in making this such a great day of learning for us.