Teacher resources by curriculum area

Browse lesson plans and classroom activity sheets to educate students on a range of water-related topics, grouped by curriculum area. You can also browse resources by year level.

For more interactive resources and ideas that students can do at their own pace, including our flagship virtual tours, view our activities for all ages.

Science

Foundation to Year 2

Calling all frogs

Explore local frog calls and lifecycle stages, using digital applications (including our Frog Census app) to develop students’ ICT skills.

Science, Digital technologies

Puddles the platypus

This activity explores the impact of people and stormwater pollution on platypus and other waterway animals. It can be adapted for other year levels as a writing stimulus.

Science, Geography

Meet the waterbugs

Develop students’ understanding of waterbugs and how they live, with a strong focus on working scientifically to make observations and identifications.

Science

Years 3 to 4

Turbidity and erosion

Explore the link between turbidity (a measure of water clarity) and erosion, and the impact on the survival of living things in freshwater environments.

Science, Geography

Looking after our water

Simple, hands-on activities to build students’ understanding of the water cycle, alternative water sources, and the importance of using water wisely.

Science, Geography

Stormwater in the urban environment

Explore the journey of stormwater and its impact on waterways. This lesson plan can also be used with our Stormwater Model, available at our Education Centre.

Science, Geography

The life of waterbugs

Observe the key features of waterbugs and consider how they are intrinsic to their survival in waterways.

Science, Geography

What ends up at the sewage treatment plant

Learn about sewage’s journey to the plant, and what not to put down drains. This lesson plan can also be used with our guided tours of the Western Treatment Plant.

Science

Meet the frogs

Learn about the different frog species living in Melbourne's distinct waterway ecosystems, and how they've evolved to survive there.

Science, Digital technologies

Years 5 to 6

From past to present at the Western Treatment Plant

Discover the history of Melbourne’s sewerage system, and the land’s importance to Traditional Owners and the urban water cycle.

Science, History and culture

Why worry about stormwater

Investigate stormwater processes in your local catchment and how it is managed in Melbourne, including Water Sensitive Urban Design practices.

Science, Geography, Digital technologies

Increased nutrients in the waterway

Learn how extra nutrients in common household products impact water quality, upon entering a waterway via the stormwater system.

Science, Geography

Waterbug and platypus adaptations

Explore the different ways waterbugs obtain their oxygen. Identify waterbugs in a sample and draw conclusions about waterway health.

Science, Geography

Frog habitats

Discover where frogs live and what helps them survive there, and learn about the effect of environmental changes on frog populations.

Science, Geography, Digital technologies

Years 7 to 8

Micro-organisms at work at the sewage treatment plant

Study bacteria in sewage treatment, the effects of aerating water, how gravity transports sewage, and chemicals in laundry detergents.

Science

Exploring our frogs

Study your local frogs to learn about biological classification, ecosystem processes and humans’ impact on the environment.

Science, Digital technologies

Identifying waterbugs

Explore the identification, classification and feeding relationships of organisms using local waterbugs – key indicators of waterway health.

Science

Litter Trackers project (Years 7-10)

These activities focus on the Litter Trackers project, where 100 bottles containing GPS trackers were released into waterways to trace the journey of litter.

Science, Geography

Years 9 to 10

Saving our frogs

Students focus on the biology and ecology of two threatened frog species, learning how frog populations are managed to enhance recovery.

Science

Cleaning up sewage

Focus on sewage treatment at the Western Treatment Plant: key processes, biogas, the nitrogen cycle, dissolved oxygen and aquatic ecosystems.

Science, Geography

Litter Trackers project (Years 7-10)

These activities focus on the Litter Trackers project, where 100 bottles containing GPS trackers were released into waterways to trace the journey of litter.

Science, Geography

Geography

Foundation to Year 2

Puddles the platypus

This activity explores the impact of people and stormwater pollution on platypus and other waterway animals. It can be adapted for other year levels as a writing stimulus.

Science, Geography

Years 3 to 4

Turbidity and erosion

Explore the link between turbidity (a measure of water clarity) and erosion, and the impact on the survival of living things in freshwater environments.

Science, Geography

Looking after our water

Simple, hands-on activities to build students’ understanding of the water cycle, alternative water sources, and the importance of using water wisely.

Science, Geography

Stormwater in the urban environment

Explore the journey of stormwater and its impact on waterways. This lesson plan can also be used with our Stormwater Model, available at our Education Centre.

Science, Geography

The life of waterbugs

Observe the key features of waterbugs and consider how they are intrinsic to their survival in waterways.

Science, Geography

Litter Trackers project (Years 3-6)

These activities focus on the Litter Trackers project, where 100 bottles containing GPS trackers were released into waterways to trace the journey of litter.

Geography, Digital technologies

Years 5 to 6