Potting-up-a-Poa

Despite a messy start to the day (an overhead Wattle tree dripped vibrant red sap all over the students) the prep/one students potted up their own native grasses (Poa) today. It was quite challenging for the students to work out how to get the roots under the soil. Students took their Poas home to be planted in their garden.  - these can be raised to be planted at school, or taken home to be planted in the garden. The stusents were amazed at the comparison between tree and grass leaves.

- Juli Atkinson (education staff)

Some Poas ready to be planted

Full grown Poa labillardieri in the LTWS

Pull-apart-a-Poa

Today was my first visit to Charles La Trobe Olympic Village to work with the Grade 1/2 students, the future Sustainability Leaders of the school. After discussion with the teacher, and consideration of the topics the students have previously covered, I have proposed that we start with a focus on minibeasts (aka insects) as there seems to be a natural interest in this area. We can then tie this into veggie patch/other vegetation, and move on to veggie activities.

Today we got to know one another and played a game called 'Pull-apart-a-Poa'. In this game the students pull-apart a native grass tussock, which is a natural habitat for many insects and other invertebrates. The students then try and collect the invertebreates into observation containers for a closer look.

This activity introduced the students to the topic of minibeasts as well as the idea that plants may form their home (habitat).

'Pull-apart-a-Poa' is available as a resource for teachers.

- Amanda Dare (Education Senior Officer)