About 5000 students from 150 schools across Victoria are now fully qualified junior citizen scientists and have learnt some amazing lessons in the greatest classroom in the world – their local waterway.

For the past two years, four Catchment Management Authorities and Melbourne Water have  been helping schools deliver the Victorian Waterwatch program as part of the curriculum through the River Detectives program.

River Detectives connects schools to their local waterways, so students can observe, monitor and learn more about the importance of catchment health.

North Central CMA Regional Waterwatch Coordinator Cass Davis said schools and groups that are a part of River Detectives program receive equipment, record and explore data through an interactive website and get to know a lot about their local creeks, rivers and wetlands.

“Teachers and other educators learn about testing through professional learning workshops to help facilitate the monitoring of their local waterway with their students, and celebrate key events,” she said.

“We received funding for two years through the Water for Victoria program, which is part of the Victorian Government’s investment of $222 million over four years to improve catchment and waterway health across the state.

“And we have achieved some great outcomes off the back of that funding. We are confident that program is having a significant impact on students. Results from our surveys indicate students are more engaged when they are outside learning about nature.”

Comments from teachers

“I wanted the students to learn through the year to be able to do the testing and recording independently. They can now do the testing quickly and are capable of doing it themselves and being the experts, leading the younger kids.” – Jayne, Bridgewater Primary School.

“It is good because it’s not textbook stuff, but hands on contact that is relevant to them and builds a connection to the local area.” – Michelle, Footscray City College.

“We have changed the curriculum and are now meeting the school’s strategic plan. The school wants more data collected to share more scientific evidence with the greater community.” – Lisa, Overnewton Primary School.

The participating schools are across five regions, all working together – Corangamite CMA, North Central CMA, North East CMA, Melbourne Water, Wimmera CMA

“That equates to about 5000 students who are now fully qualified junior citizen scientists, having their curiosity triggered at every turn and learning some amazing lessons,” Ms Davis said.

“On top of those student numbers, we have had 40 professional learning workshops, trained more than 250 educators and conducted virtual learning sessions to take experts such as freshwater ecologists virtually into classrooms across the state.

“What is also important is that the students have monitored hundreds of sites across the state, uploading their data to the state-wide Waterwatch Victoria portal. That means the work they are doing in the field is playing an important role in informing the powers that be about the condition of the state’s creeks and rivers.

“It’s not just staying in the classroom, but it is hands- on learning that is making a difference.”

“We are really proud of this program, and it is delivering some great results for the environment, and making a difference in the classroom. It’s an example of how Water for Victoria is making a practical difference to communities across the state.”