Science: Environmental
Year 9: Coastal Ambassadors program at Phillip Island
by Clare Coman, Wellbeing Coordinator (who accompanied the first group of campers)
Recently, two groups of four students attended camps at Phillip Island as part of the Coastal Ambassadors program; the first ran from 30 April to 3 May and the second from 14 - 17 May.
This environmental program consists of two components; section one saw our students working with rangers and researchers at the Phillip Island Nature Park covering such topics as marine biology with a focus on little penguins and Australian fur seals, oceanography, sustainability and participating in environmental work; section two involves our students undertaking an environmental project here at Preshil.
The Coastal Ambassadors program encourages students to become ambassadors of the ocean and the environment in their local communities. Students increase their knowledge of environmental issues while developing their leadership, communication and teamwork skills. Each student takes the lessons learnt from the program back to their school and local community.
The four days at each camp were jam-packed with activities including:
- presentations from leading researchers of little penguins and seals
- surfing
- visiting the Penguin Parade
- Seal Rocks or a Cape Woolamai cruise
- rock pool rambling and investigation of sea creatures
- designing an Environmental Action Plan to implement at Preshil
- a 'sea-themed' dress-up dinner
Hands-on environmental conservation work included:
- making little penguin wooden homes
- cleaning up the habitat of little penguins
- gardening within the little penguin habitat
Over the weeks leading up to and during the camps, students completed their Action Plans and on the last day presented these to parents, teachers and park rangers.
"It really showed how teenagers, even as young as us, can cooperate and blend in a way that makes all individuals in the group feel welcomed and accepted."
We thank the students for their participation in and commitment to this important environmental program. Lucinda participated in the second program and summed it up beautifully, "This camp was an amazing experience for all of us. Not only did we learn a lot but we made so many new friends. It really showed how teenagers, even as young as us, can cooperate and blend in a way that makes all individuals in the group feel welcomed and accepted. Every single person cared about the environment and I think that's what made the group as strong as it was. We were all united with a passion and I think if all kids our age had that passion the world could be an awesome place. I would like to thank our Science teacher Sarah Alexander for arranging this opportunity for us and the Phillip Island park rangers who were both amazing and helpful."
