Science in Schools

Children progressing through the P-12 education system perceive science as copying from a board, watching experiments done by a teacher or answering questions in a text book. The SIS research project will look at addressing this problem from the earliest years of formal education.
view the Draft Action Plan 29/05/01
view the Morwell River Wetlands Schools project overview

Classes visit the wetlands August 2008
See the article published in the International Power Hazelwood magazine, Jumbunna.

Water levels 2008

Duck survey Oct 2007 by Athol Brand
Ducks Sighted on Audit – Pacific Black Duck, Hard Head, Chestnut Teal, Grey Teal, Wood Duck, Blue Bill (Coots), 4 pair Swans with Signets (approx.5 each), Pelicans.

Bird survey 2007 by Latrobe Field Naturalists Dec 07
44 species 208 birds

Kyle drying out on the platform at MRSW after the big flood.

Drought breaking rains: June 2007
More photos

This article was submitted by Zack's grandmother.
A rather fascinating story of a young girl saved by 66 frogs after being badly burnt on her way home from school in 1919.

Carp Cull at the Wetlands 2007 by K&C Fisheries
Report by Kevin Jones; International Power - Hazelwood.

Macro Survey
In May 2005 our Science Club did a macro survey. We found small fish that we hope are not Mosquito fish

Mosquito fish have invaded most freshwater environments around Melbourne. Mosquito fish have live young, they do not lay eggs. These feral fish can therefore eat any egg they find without hurting their own population. Mosquito fish breed in enormous numbers and eat the other small creatures living in the same pond. Because of this, mosquito fish are the prime suspects for the disappearance of many native frogs and fish from our ponds, lakes, creeks and rivers

On advice from Waterwatch it seems our small fish is a young gudgeon.

Scientific Name
Philypnodon grandiceps
Other Common Names
Flathead Gudgeon
Size Commonly 80 to 90 mm, up to 130 mm
Conservation Status
Common, widespread

Corroboree Club Launch
This was a very successful day. The weather was fine, the children were great with asking questions of Mr Jones and of course WIN TV and the Express came along as well.

Carp Harvesting at Morwell River Wetlands
The following photos regard recent carp harvesting from the Southern Morwell River Wetlands by K & C Fisheries. This was a recommendation from Arthur Rylah Institute.
More on carp, Carp Harvesting Media Release.doc(113k).

Installing the Weather Station
New weather station view full article

The Port Albert Frog
Once long ago there was a big frog, Tidda-lick. He was sick and got full of water. He could not get rid of this water and did not know what to do. One day he was walking where Port Albert is now, where he saw ..... view full story and links to more aspects of Koorie life.

Travelling scholarship to Oregon
A travelling science scholarship was awarded to Max Sargent to represent the teachers of Victoria and especially our Latrobe Valley in the Portland Salem area of Oregon, USA. This involved two weeks of visits to many schools and wetlands education centres. It is hoped that the links made on this trip will complement our wetland studies at the Morwell River Wetlands. view full article

Oregon Visitors to the ARC
Our trip to Victoria and New South Wales, Australia was truly the trip of a life time for both of us. After two years of planning it went by all too quickly. We meet many new friends and colleagues along the way. By far the outstanding highlight of the our three weeks was the two days spent learning about the wetlands rehabilitation project in Morwell and the work of the Amphibian Research Centre with Max Sargent. view full article
Proposed International Project

Frog Census Training Day

A Pond In The Room

Teacher visit to the ARC

Morwell Wetlands

World Wetlands Day