Throughout the unit, students investigated their own environmental footprint by conducting waste audits, exploring sustainability in action and examining how resources are used and managed. These experiences encouraged students to think critically about waste, recycling and the role each person can play in protecting our environment.

Students also explored the water cycle and the impact of eco-disasters on animals, habitats and ecosystems. By examining real-world examples such as pollution, oil spills and deforestation, they developed empathy for affected wildlife and gained insight into the environmental challenges facing our world today.

The unit culminated in an exciting Design Thinking challenge where students became innovators and entrepreneurs. Working in teams, they designed and created products using materials that may otherwise have ended up in landfill. Students demonstrated incredible creativity while finding new purposes for discarded materials. Their products will be proudly showcased at Exhibition Evening, celebrating the power of upcycling and sustainable thinking.

Our students loved sharing their learning:

• "I really enjoyed building and creating our projects to save landfill. We made cardboard soccer players to reuse these products and care for our environment." - Noah
• "In PBL we learned to respect the environment and be stewards of the Earth. I enjoyed designing our phone bags with upcycled materials and working as a team." - Harmony
• "PBL is all about being creative and working in a team so we can show our school value of Better Together. I liked that we got to use our own ideas to show our learning about sustainability and how to love the world." - Asees
• "I really enjoyed being creative in PBL. We learned about the water cycle and sustainability. We made emu characters out of cardboard for our project." - Chase
  "In PBL we got to be designers and have hands-on learning. We learned about recycling plastics and what happens to our environment if we don't. I loved that we got to make things in PBL." - Levi
• "In PBL we got to make and learn about lots of different things. We learned about the science of sustainability and how we can save our planet. In our group we made egg carton animals. It was so fun to be creative and use our own ideas." - Eden

It has been wonderful watching students develop as critical thinkers, creative designers and responsible global citizens. Their enthusiasm for sustainability and commitment to finding solutions reminds us that even small actions can make a meaningful difference. We are incredibly proud of the creativity, teamwork and innovation they demonstrated throughout this project.

Bianca Ravi
Learning Leader