Somersaulting Plant Teaches Kids A Lesson

Newcastle Herald

Tuesday May 27, 2003

By LAUREN HOLZ, ANGIE, WAPPET, ASHLEY PURNELL,, T'KEYAH DEAN and, ANDREW TOYER

THE azolla plant, found in the last freshwater wetland to survive on the Central Coast, is having a huge impact on the students' learning at Wyong Public School.

The azolla is unique in that it has no roots and lives on the surface of ponds within the Porter's Creek Wetland.

When flipped over by water or wind, the azolla flips right back, or somersaults.

This plant is just one of many interesting and endangered species within the wetland where Wyong students learn about their community and local environment.

Porter's Creek Wetland is within walking distance of Wyong Public School. This enables all classes to have easy access to a valuable ecosystem during their water management studies.

Kevin Butler, from Wyong Council, has led a team of teachers from various local schools and Wyong Council members in developing a teachers' resource pack. The most fun, however, involves the hands-on learning experiences.

Elfie Blackburn, from Wyong Council, usually accompanies a group of students and teachers on their excursions.

Representatives from Stream Watch join her in providing opportunities for students to experience dip netting, water-bug sorting and water-quality testing.

Students in Year 1 have sat by the creek and sang environmental songs to guitar music, while students in Year 6 have designed and built models of water-sensitive houses.

Wyong Council recently completed construction of a new environmental walk overlooking the wetland. Wyong mayor Greg Best, opened the walk, which is situated on top of Watanobbi Knoll.

Wyong School's environment group was invited to participate in the opening, with students from Year 1 to Year 6 joining in the fun. Students in Year 6 choreographed an environmental dance, while others designed posters and jingles.

School captains, Zachariah Arneil and Pooja Khale, led the presentation, while our Minister for Environment in the student parliament, Brodie Wilkes, led a tree-planting ceremony.