water education New Water Education Online Tools The Department of Water has launched WA's first online catalogue of water learning resources. Western Austral ia's first online website of water learning resources will enrich water education for students from kindergarten to Year 12, according to WA Water Minister Graham Jacobs. Designed for teachers and students, the new Water Educat ion Tools website covers a wide range of contemporary topics from water recycling and groundwater management to climate change. Launching the project at Applecross Senior High School, Dr Jacobs said that the resource was an important step forward in stimulating interest and improving knowledge about the important role wat er played in the environment. "Th is is an exciting project that breaks down the barriers to accessing information, and will help our students gain a greater understanding of the critical issues surrounding the future of water in Australia," Dr Jacobs said. " Engaging young people to help them learn more about water and providi ng teacher resources that link water issues to the curriculum will elevate the quality of water education in the state. " The interactive multimedia portal built by the Department of Water, brings together resources from a range of water stakeholders in a single portal accessible through the department's website. The tool has different pathways to help
Applecross Year 12 Student Jessica Warriner checks out the new Water Education Tools website.
t eachers and students find the resources they need quickly and easily. Students can search by year, group and topic while teaching resources are catalogued and linked directly to the curriculum. The catalogue includes downloads, posters, activities and video with water-related information for society and environment, science and geography subjects. Initially the majority of resources wi ll be more suitable for high school students, but the number and spread of resources will continue to grow th roughout t he year. Water Education Tools was developed by the Department of Water with guidance from the Curriculum Council and the Department of Education and Training. See it in action at www.water.wa.gov.au
National Undergraduate Water Prize National Source Management Conference 8-10 September 2009, Melbourne UNSW graduate engineer Alexandra Bennett, now working as a graduate engineer at Hyder Consulting, won the 2009 Australian Water Association National Undergraduate Water Prize for her thesis project, Fill in the Dams?
The annual national Undergraduate Water Pri ze recognises outstanding undergraduate students who have based their final year project on a water-related topic. The AWA is keen to encourage and reward students for excellenc e in the field of water studies and research by providing a forum for students to display their academic excellence and research fi ndings t o future employers and clients. Nominations to the national award must be directed through the Branch competitions. Students are invited t o contact their loc al AWA Branch for more information and closing dates for state awards. Winners from each Stat e/Territory will present their papers as part of the Ozwater' 10 Conferenc e program in Brisbane next March to co mpete for the national Prize.
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The Evolution of Trade
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The inaugural AWA National Source Management Conference expects to attract over 100 delegates and over 20 exhibitors and will be held over tvvo and a half days. The program will contain informative and thought-provoking sessions as well as a technical tour for those that enjoy watching technology at work. The overall conference theme is "The Evolution of Trade Waste" and will focus on the changing face of trade waste as a transition to wastewater source management and its relevance in the integrated water management cycle.
Call for papers closes 19 June 2009 Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities are available Enquiries - Ph: (02) 9436 0055, email: events@awa.asn.au
Om< the C01fe-erce IM3bsite for further details
www.awa.asn.au/events/nsmc
Entries to the national competition close on the 30 November 2009. More information about the national Undergraduate Water Prize is available on our website at www .awa.asn.au/award s/uwp
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