Environmentality, 27 February 2013

Carolyn, Marianna, Danielle and Nicole from the Western Polytechnic Institute, the United States was here to work on Banksia Garden’s Science Education Program. The girls worked to embed longevity into the science program. Based on loss of interest in science careers, Banksia hope to promote science to schools. We managed to wrangle the girls into going to the Sustainable Living Festival on the 15^th of February while they were here.

Courtesy of Banksia Gardens

Here are is the list of groups that the girls spoke to:

•  Car next door: car sharing website that allows people to lease their cars when you’re not using it. In sharing cars, not only are we reducing the resources used in making new cars, but also encouraging more people use alternative forms of transport such as walking and public transport. Piloting in Bondi, they are looking to expand into Brisbane and Melbourne 
•  Australia organic schools: free school gardens resources to help schools implement gardening into their curriculum 
•  Green Renters: helps renters live more sustainably by providing advice on what renters can do legally to greener lifestyles. Green Renters also runs workshops to provide people with ideas and tools to implement in their homes 
• Poo Power: Reducing the amount of dog waste going into rivers and making people sick by collecting dog waste to generate bio-energy. 
•  DYI Double Glaze: Double glaze units to replace existing windows, hence improving insulation 
• Positive charge: a social enterprise of the Moreland Energy Foundation, positive charge has expanded to work with other council areas. Positive Charge also provides to get free phone advice, and connects people to resources and service providers  
• Re-place: divert plastic from landfill and turns it into things that don’t break down such as furniture, signage and decking.
• PJT green plumbing: plumbing that focuses on sustainable initiatives such as rain water tanks and solar hot waters
• Landcare Victoria: promoting and supporting community conservation and friends groups, sustainable agricultural, urban groups, education in schools and protection of crown land 

We’re certainly glad to hear that the girls liked our public transport system, amount of bicycles in the city and availability of recycling bins!

To learn more about the Science Education Program and listen to the girl’s impression of Melbourne, tune into the podcast! If you would like more information into the Science Education Program, you can leave a comment on the blog or give Jaime a call at Banksia on 9309 8531 

To hear about the girls experience, tune in here

Tracks played:  

We Won’t Cry- Archie roach

Fighting Kind- Ainslie Wills

I awake- Sarah Blasko