Integrated Learning in Geography

Integrated Learning  How can we bring the new national curriculum alive for our students?  How can we give them a hands on approach to learning in Geography?

 BBC Report BBC Report  Grove Lab Story Grove Lab Story

Link to New Syllabus Biomes and Food Security (Stage 5)  The environmental, economic and technological factors that influence crop yields in Australia and across the world (ACHGK062)(ACHGK062)  The challenges to food production, including land and water degradation, shortage of fresh water, competing land uses, and climate change, for Australia and other areas of the world (ACHGK063)land and water degradation climate change, (ACHGK063)  The capacity of the world’s environments to sustainably feed the projected future population to achieve food security for Australia and the world (ACHGK064)(ACHGK064)

Other Links to New Syllabus Water in the World (Stage 4) -The nature of water scarcity and ways of overcoming it, including studies drawn from Australia and West Asia and/or North Africa (ACHGK040) Place and Liveability (Stage 4) -The strategies used to enhance the liveability of places, especially for young people, including examples from Australia and Europe (ACHGK047)the liveability (ACHGK047)

Integrated Learning  The construction and set up of the grove could be integrated into the Biomes Topic  Grove lab can be integrated into a single classroom.  Students can be in charge of the monitoring and running of the grove

Integrated Learning  Develop greater understanding of ecosystem functioning (nutrient and energy cycles)  Build prior learning for HSC Ecosystem at Risk topic  Develop understanding of plants and food production techniques

 Can be developed as project based learning throughout whole topic. (Assess and monitor the grove)  Stimulate greater discussion and understanding of sustainability  Discussion on food production & distribution  Evaluate the success of the grove and its productivity of food production

Timeframe  Due to the start up nature of the business and a US company, they are still developing the product.  They have trial programs running in schools in Boston  After contacting Grove Labs, they have said that they are looking getting trial running in Australia within 1-2 years  This fits in with the projected timeframe for the implementation of the new NSW curriculum- 2017???

CONTACT  If you are interested please contact: Gabe Blanchet CEO Grove Labs