Hillside Geology Discovery Centre
A NEW field-based earth science resource centre is giving students a hands-on approach to learning. The Hillside Geology Discovery Centre in Martin was developed by Kelmscott SHS teacher Peter Spitalny and Lesmurdie SHS teacher Paul Jones who acquired Australian School Innovation in Science, Technology and Mathematics (ASISTM) funding for the project.
The discovery centre consists of a boulder park with 15 one-tonne ore samples from mines across the State obtained with help from the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA.
There is also a walk trail joining a number of sites including two abandoned gold mines and a gold panning facility. A big part of the project has been the development of an interactive DVD which contains explanatory film footage of the walk trail and boulder park as well as teacher notes and student worksheets for introductory, intermediate and advanced students. The project allows students to experience various aspects of science in a real setting, they can get up close to large specimens of ore, actually pan for gold and see rocks in a natural setting rather than in disconnected lumps in a container in the classroom.
The DVD allows schools outside Perth to take a virtual tour of the site and participate in the activities and is a great tool for teachers. The worksheets match the Earth and Beyond strand of the curriculum so teachers can use them as assessment items or learning items.
Hillside Farm is a community farm that provides opportunities for hands-on practical learning of technologically sustainable practices. Schools can book field trips by contacting Hillside Farm on 9398 4971 or hillsidefarm@arach.net.au. Professional Development days are also held for for teachers of Years 5 to 12. Call 9398 4971 for more information.
