Outdoor Classroom
Over the years, RiverConnect has enabled the river environment to be utilised as an outdoor classroom, inspiring countless students to think hands-on, unbound by the walls of traditional learning. The educational possibilities are endless and reach much further than science or environmental education. For example:
- English - Run your usual poetry or descriptive writing lesson by the river, using the natural environment as inspiration for language and imagery.
- Literature - Bring your regular reading or novel study session to the river, where a calmer setting can support focus and richer discussion.
- Mathematics - Use the river environment for measuring, estimating, or collecting simple data to support your content.
- Art, Visual Communications, or Media - Allow students to draw, paint, and create using the natural surroundings as their subject.
If you'd like suggestions or tips on taking your class outside to beautiful bushland reserves by the river, please contact us.
RiverConnect Education Program
RiverConnect offer free environmental excursions and experiences for Greater Shepparton schools to increase understanding and build a stronger community connection to the Goulburn Broken river environment. The education program covers a range of topics including biodiversity, habitat for wildlife, living and non-living things, river health, water quality, conservation, and the mental health and wellbeing benefits of nature.
Education Programs in the Spotlight
- Little Storytime - Bush Kinder stories, nature walk, citizen science, puppets or taxidermy display
- What's in the Water? - Aquatic Macroinvertebrates; the elusive Platypus and curious Rakali
- A Hollow is a Home - Many native animals rely on 100+ year old trees for habitat. Bush walk, taxidermy animals presentation
- Nature Stewardship & Conservation Projects - Give back with on ground nature volunteering
- Multi-Activity - Primary Education Days - held with our partner organisations in May and November.
- Bees and Blossoms - 2026 offering collaboration with Clancy Lester and Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project. Learn about pollinators and make bee hotels
- Platypus Detectives - Coming too 2027 - Students will become scientists to work out if a platypus lives in a local river location
- One Tree Per Child - aims to connect students with local revegetation and nurture stewardship culture
Education Bookings
Booking Advice
- All sessions are free of charge for Greater Shepparton Schools
- Booking limit of one session per class per year (with the exception of Conservation Projects)
- Bookings are subject to availability
- Please book at least eight weeks in advance. We can accept bookings with four weeks notice but availability may be limited.
- One Tree Per Child. Planting sessions held in June to August. No other RiverConnect education sessions are held during this time. EOIs go out in late February. Learn more about OTPC here.
- RiverConnect Bookings can be made via our online booking form
RIVERCONNECT ONLINE BOOKING FORM
School Requirements
- Teachers MUST supervise and manage behaviour of students (presenter has the right to cancel if this does not occur)
- Actively help students with tasks to ensure the session runs safely and to time
- Organise own transport for excursions
- Bring own first aid kit and qualified first aid staff member for excursions
- Ensure students dress appropriately for outdoor conditions, including wet and muddy, cold or sunny conditions.
Curriculum resources and activities
Materials for hire
RiverConnect have a range of materials available for schools to hire to enhance their outdoor learning experiences, including:
- Binoculars
- Spotlight Torches
- GPS Digital Cameras
- Two-way microscopes
- Water quality testing kit - dissolved oxygen/EC/pH meters and nitrates/phosphates
- Waterbug kit and lesson plan
- Cat litter trays – often use for waterbugs or other model landscape ideas
- Turbidity Tubes
- Story of a Catchment kit and lesson plan
- Native Plant, Weed and Bird ID Books
- Easel that holds A2 clipboards
Activities and Lesson Plans
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