Curriculum
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Incorporating sustainability into the curriculum
Here we’ve provided some examples of ways you can include sustainability in various subject areas. We encourage you to come up with your own ideas, or look at case studies on this site or follow links to other resources.
Contact us - we’re always happy to talk about new ideas or to put you in touch with someone who has found some great teaching materials for almost any subject you can think of.
Here are some examples of ways you can include sustainability in the seven areas of the Tasmanian Curriculum:
English - literacy
Biodiversity: Social Action: Create a pursuasive text to detail concerns or issues about a local area. Following on from research conducted by the students. For further ideas please visit the DoE English/literacy - sustainability curriculum.
Students design a pamphlet, letter, advertisement, poster raising their concerns and distribute in their local community. Interview local government authorities.
Mathematics
Biodiversity: to develop an understanding about the local habitat students analyse and record the vegetation types in their local area or school grounds. Students analyse according to native and introduced species.
Waste: Students conduct a waste audit to gather data about what the issues are for the school. The waste audit will require students to sort, classify and weigh the rubbish and record their findings. From these findings students analyse and make suggestions about ways to reduce waste in the school.Additional information can be found at DoE Mathematics - sustainability curriculum
Science
Water: Students focus on water analysis to determine the water quality of local streams or the school water supply. Students conduct experiments to determine ph, turbidity, dissolved oxygen. Students can record their findings using a data logger, or data base and present them to the school for action.
Where does it come from ... where does it go? Students come to an understanding about the water cycle. Analyse the different sources of water in the school and calculate the water usage and then consider different ways to reduce the amount of water being used and the effects of these changes on school practices.
Society and History
Equity and ethical issues about resource distribution, availability and sustainability (i.e. water availability) in different cultures.
Debate whether sustainable practices should be enforced by the Australain Government?
Health and wellbeing
Stephanie Alexander’s Kitchen Garden Program - demonstration garden being established at Moonah Primary School in Hobart.
Move Well Eat Well - information and award program run by the Tasmanian Department of Education in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services to promote a healthier Tasmania in which children enjoy healthy eating and daily physical activity. This website provides:
- a guide to getting started
- curriculum ideas, whole school activities and planning templates
- a Community Support Directory with details of local services, people and organisations who work with schools
- information, posters and inserts for school newsletters.
Food Miles and Ethical Eating is another area of discussion and debate
The Arts
Biodiversity: Create a sign, poster, model or film to demonstrate the concerns for the local environment.
Kitchen garden: Problems with predators: design and create a model, sign, poster to deter predators.
Vocational and Applied Learning
Links to useful curriculum resources
Department of Education teachers can search the Tasmanian Curriculum Library