The purpose of Eco-Club is for the member students to develop an appreciation for and understanding of the world around them. Particular emphasis has been placed on Woodlands’ own natural environment, namely the wetland. The club spends much time within and around our wetland, exploring the plant life as well as the insect life which can be found in and around our wetland, with students learning about the life cycles of insects, noticing spoors and telltale signs of the resident mammal, bird and fish life as well as developing a sense of seasonal change. This is where the club members enjoy getting a bit wet and muddy! While rummaging through the wetland the students learn about the different types of vegetation, such as sedges and grasses, as well as invasive species. As a continuous process, which has almost become automatic with the Eco-Club members, is the picking up of litter.
In groups, the Eco-Club participants have made rubbings of leaves and bark, using the wetland for arts and crafts, and developed their own wetland board game. Much fun was had when we spent the afternoon playing one other’s games.
Yearly themes have been developed through the interests of the Club members. The students developed their knowledge of South African butterflies when they made their own butterfly using old pantyhose, wire and a liberal splash of paint, and discovered the Monarch Butterfly and its hidden talents. The Eco-Club members were immensely proud of the butterflies which they displayed at the Afro-Pop Cultural Evening. Club members have also undertaken activities to enhance their own natural environments at home, through designing and using recycled material to construct variety of bird feeders as well as bring home their very own vegetable gardens.
Water quality testing has been a highlight of the Eco-Club, with our own highly qualified mothers providing an afternoon of serious science!
