Whitehorse schools sessions
Whitehorse City Council will fund up to 4 sessions* per eligible primary or secondary school in the municipality. Schools can self-fund additional sessions at a reduced rate as well. Funding is limited and completing an Expression of Interest does not guarantee a funded incursion.
*Multiple sessions must be run on a single day, not separate days, to be eligible. Sessions can consist of up to 4 x waste topics or 2 x sustainability and 2 x waste topics.
Session topics are outlined below. Once you have read the session topics and terms and conditions, scroll down and complete the Expression of Interest.
*Multiple sessions must be run on a single day, not separate days, to be eligible. Sessions can consist of up to 4 x waste topics or 2 x sustainability and 2 x waste topics.
Session topics are outlined below. Once you have read the session topics and terms and conditions, scroll down and complete the Expression of Interest.
All our programs are designed around Victorian Curriculum in with a focus on Geography, Science, Design and Technologies, Civics and Citizenship, Ethical Capability, and Critical and Creative Thinking.
The standard session length is 60 minutes, however this can be adapted to suit the needs of your group and your timetable.
You can explore the primary and secondary topics below, and then sumbit an expression of interest in funded incursions using the EOI form.
The standard session length is 60 minutes, however this can be adapted to suit the needs of your group and your timetable.
You can explore the primary and secondary topics below, and then sumbit an expression of interest in funded incursions using the EOI form.
Primary schools
Primary school Waste and Water TopicsWater we going to do?
Follow water cycle, discovering how it moves and what affects its health along the way. With the help of props and sensory learning, students explore pollution, litter, and the big impact of small actions. Students explore practical actions to protect our waterways, and save water at home and school. Edible gardens
What did people eat in Australia before we had farms and shops? Learn about native plants that were used as food and medicine for first nations people; where modern food comes from; and how you can grow your own food at school and at home. Optional: seed planting activity ReThink, ReUse, ReImagine!
Discover how "nothing goes to waste" in a circular economy. This vibrant, tactile adventure sparks eco-curiosity and life-long habits of care for the Earth. Instead of just asking “Where does it go?”, we ask “Why was it made this way— and how could we do it better?” F–2 students explore reuse and recycling through hands-on crafts, sorting games and storytelling that connect everyday items to natural cycles. Grades 3–6 become “Reimaginateers,” analysing products and systems to design smarter, low-waste solutions using circular economy thinking. Recycle Right Mythbusting
Did you know that most people still don't use their council bins correctly? Come on an adventure to learn where the different bins go when they are emptied. Learn about them one by one then play some games to see if we can get the right thing in the right bin, once and for all. Composting and worm farming
Go on an underground journey to learn all about what happens deep inside a compost bin. (Smartboard/projectorrequired) Learn about the different compost systems (Compost, Worm Farm, Bokashi) and the different roles they play in tackling food waste and growing food. Play some hands-on games to learn how to compost and learn about setting up or maintaining a compost system at your school. Plastic fantastic
Explore the good, the bad, and the sticky when it comes to plastic. What is it, where does it go, and how can we reduce it? Investigate microplastics, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and how we can all help through creative activities like “nude food” days. |
Primary school sustainability topicsPower Up! Renewable Energy in Action
Explore how solar, wind, and kinetic energy work through fun experiments and hands-on STEM stations. Students test solar shading with mini toys, build spinning wheels, and experiment with motion-powered circuits, and explore why saving energy matters. Climate Capers
Through story, STEM play, movement, and a hands-on carbon cycle game, students become superhero Earth-savers. They'll unpack the basics of climate change while celebrating culture and sustainability in this interactive session. Smart moves: Smart Transport
This incursion supports schools to reduce car dependence by engaging students in practical, age-appropriate activities that promote active and sustainable transport. Through movement games, real-life scenario challenges, and creative design tasks, students explore transport options, understand their environmental and health impacts, and identify safer, smarter ways to travel. Sessions are tailored to year levels, with upper primary students focusing on transitioning to secondary school and lower years learning about safety and pollution. The incursion lays the foundation for whole-school travel behaviour change through student-led action and awareness. Butterfly trails
Dance, roleplay, and learn your way through the butterfly life cycle. Students discover pollination, plant a pollinator trail, and understand why these delicate creatures are biodiversity superheroes. We recommend you follow this session up with a Gardens for Wildlife session. |
Secondary schools
Secondary school Waste and Water TopicsCircular Solutions Lab
Go beyond recycling: students deconstruct a product (e.g. single-use cup, phone case), trace its lifecycle, and redesign it using circular design principles. Optional: prototyping or mock "Shark Tank" pitch. Optional: School can provide items for deconstruction. Waste Myth busting & System Mapping
Unpack Australia’s waste infrastructure and challenge common recycling misconceptions. Students map their local waste system and roleplay stakeholders to understand the complexity of change. Fast Fashion: Unravelling the Waste
Investigate the environmental and social impacts of the fashion industry including externalised costs. Includes activities like wardrobe audits, swap-styling, or textile upcycling, or creating fashion from waste. Suggested follow-up activities:
H2Know: The Science and Politics of Water
From microplastics to water trading, students dive into real case studies around pollution, privatisation, and drought. Includes testing water samples or reviewing water policy. |
Secondary school sustainability topicsClimate Justice: Who Pays the Price?
Explore the global inequality of climate impacts and what climate justice means. Students investigate case studies (e.g. Pacific Islands, First Nations communities, urban vs rural), then collaborate on solutions. Carbon Crunch: Calculating Our Impact
Students calculate their carbon footprint and unpack how personal and systemic changes can reduce emissions. Optional: emissions audit of school activities (transport, food, energy). Suggested follow-up activities: explore a school audit with EASL if the school is or is interested in becoming involved in ResourceSmart Schools. Move the Future: Sustainable Transport Challenge
Students map how they travel to school and explore low-carbon alternatives. Dive into urban design and how we can improve our cities and suburbs for future growth. Includes emissions calculations, urban planning simulations, or an urban design challenge. Explore emerging transport technologies and what’s holding them back. Debate the environmental and social costs of fossil fuels, infrastructure opportunities and limitations, behaviour change, and policy levers. Imagine a world after peak oil. Design a town that is sustainable in a future without fossil fuels. Suggested resource: students to bring their laptops to the session or run the session in the computer lab. |
Terms and conditions
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF BOOKING A WHITEHORSE SPONSORED INCURSION
Please read these terms and conditions carefully prior to booking our waste and sustainability incursion sessions.
By booking our sessions, your school accepts these terms and conditions in full; accordingly, if you disagree or do not meet these terms and conditions, you may not be able to book in the council-funded sessions.
Please read these terms and conditions carefully prior to booking our waste and sustainability incursion sessions.
By booking our sessions, your school accepts these terms and conditions in full; accordingly, if you disagree or do not meet these terms and conditions, you may not be able to book in the council-funded sessions.
Age group
Sessions are tailored to year level and curriculum. If you have any special requests, or want a session adapted to a range of ages, such as a green team or school assembly, please let us know in the Expression of Interest form.
Maximum students per session
A maximum of 30 students per session are allowed unless otherwise arranged in writing.
Arrangements can be made for some topics to be presented at assemblies or to large groups, however they will be less interactive and hands-on.
Arrangements can be made for some topics to be presented at assemblies or to large groups, however they will be less interactive and hands-on.
staff expectations
To get the most out of the incursion, and implement the learnings, staff are expected to engage in the session. Some sessions that divide into breakout groups will require a staff member to oversee a small group. Staff are expected to manage student behaviour to minimise disruption so that students get the best value out of the session.
Management of high-needs and/or highly disruptive students
Staff to notify Chooktopia on booking, about effective classroom management strategies if there are a number of high-needs or disruptive students, so as to not detract from the session delivery for the broader group. We will discuss best ways of engaging disruptive students or alternatively staff responsibilities in distraction and engagement away from the group, as best suited to the individual student.
Late cancellations
If a session is cancelled less than four hours prior to the session staff time, a cancellation fee of $150 ex GST will be charged to the school. If the session is cancelled within 90 minutes of the session start time then a $350 ex GST charge will be charged to the school.