Rio Tinto Earth Assist - a partnership between RioTinto and Conservation Volunteers Australia

Earth Assist is a fully funded (FREE!) program that you can use as a resource to enrich your students' learning experience.

We provide everything you, the students and the school needs to create a unique volunteering experience on local conservation projects.

If you'd like to see what what other school have been up to with our program, check out our programs for all the current Earth Assist activities.

Below are a few of the ways you can get your students involved with Earth Assist!

Community Service

Rio Tinto Earth Assist is available for all secondary school students who wish to complete community service hours towards their school requirements or as part of an endorsed Community Service program.  They can complete their hours two ways: either - volunteer over the school holidays or get a group of friends together and come out during the school term!

Many schools choose to put aside a few days or a week in their calendar for particular year groups to complete community service during school time.  If this is not an option for your school perhaps encouraging students to complete hours during the holidays is the best way to go. Completing community service during school holidays allows student to nominate which days they would like to attend, especially if they have other commitments like a part time job or sporting activities. 

If you can take time out of that busy school timetable - community service during school time is a great way to head out in our bus and explore the environment around you.  Not only will the students get a hands on approach in environmental activities, they'll learn about keeping their community sustainable and have an active role in improving the community for everyone.

Earth Assist is also available as a "one-off" volunteering opportunity: why not utilise the program as a reward day or team building exercise for a particular group of students, such as the student councillors. Everyone benefits, especially the environment! 

Endorsed Programs

Rio Tinto Earth Assist has four endorsed programs for metro schools in 2011. These can be embedded within the curriculum with links to Science outcomes or can stand alone as a valuable learning experience in their own right.

1.  CCVFL - Monitoring, Evaluating and Recording - Flora

2.  CCVFA - Monitoring, Evaluating and Recording - Fauna

3.  CCV3R - Sustainable Practices: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

4.  CCVES - Managing Environmental Issues: Erosion and Salinity

Completing one of these programs in one year will give students  points towards their WACE.  It is possible to complete more than one program in one year, resulting in additional points towards their WACE.

Completing an endorsed program is a fantastic way for students to get out and help their community, learn workplace relevant skills and have a valid input into maintaining a healthy and sustainable environment.   Each program allows them to develop team work skills, communication skills, knowledge of our native species, and enhance  leadership skills and critical thinking skills.

CCVFL - Monitoring, Evaluating and Recording Flora

The flora program looks at safety and risk management, understanding key species of native flora in the area, surveying and monitoring flora, erosion and salinity, interference from introduced species, life cycles, Dieback disease, seed collection procedures and revegetation.   Students will complete a workbook which is specific to the program allowing them to reflect, research and participate in open discussions about our environment.  The program gives students an opportunity to discuss their opinions and work together in a team for an appropriate and sustainable outcome.

CCVFA - Monitoring, Evaluating and Recording Fauna

The fauna program looks at safety and risk management, ecology, dietary and fauna life cycle, behaviour patterns, tracking and recording movements, identify interference from introduced species, and revegetation to encourage fauna return to an area. Students will complete a workbook which is specific to the program allowing them to reflect, research and participate in open discussions about our environment. The program gives students an opportunity to discuss their opinions and work together in a team for an appropriate and sustainable outcome for the fauna you and the students will be investigating.

CCV3R - Sustainable Practices: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

This program explores the impact that common, everyday rubbish and waste has on the environment, focusing on the importance on reducing, reusing and recyling the items that usually end up in the bin. Students will complete practical conservation activities by participating in the cleanup and regeneration of a local area. Students will also learn practical strategies and skills for recycling organic waste. Students will complete a workbook which is specific to the program allowing them to reflect, research and participate in open discussions about our environment. The program gives students an opportunity to discuss their opinions and work together in a team for an appropriate and sustainable outcome for the fauna you and the students will be investigating.

 

Regional schools can complete the program in a five day block, whilst metropolitan schools have the option to commit one full day a week for five weeks, or half a day for a full term.

To find out more about our endorsed programs contact us via our Contact page.