Unlike what most people think, water is not an infinite resource, infact:
It important that we conserve the water we have as Australia can go through drought periods. This means there is less rain, soils dry out quicker and dams get low or run dry. Conserving water does not only mean using less water, it mean ensuring our water sources are not polluted, using our toilets wisely and improving water management. There are plenty of ways to conserve water and these challenges will help your school community think twice about the water that we have access too!
The Water Heroes Competition is all about identifying sources of water wastage in your school and educating your community about saving water using storytelling and design through heroes and villains!
This Competition involves getting students to design a ‘Water Hero’ to combat your ‘Water Villains’. What are Water Villains you ask?
This is your first step! Use the audit sheet attached to identify the sources of water wastage in your school. You might already have an idea of this, for example:
Once you have identified your sources – it’s time to put your creative hat on. How can you apply a villain persona to these sources? This will help students understand that wasting water is a ‘negative thing’. Here are some fun examples from the Urban Utilities Water Warriors Show, feel free to use these OR create your own:
Present your water villains on assembly and announce the design competition! Use the PowerPoint template to tell the story of your water villains. You will also announce the design competition where you ask students to design a water hero to combat the villains. These heroes should have a super power that can help save water like the Urban Utilities Water Warriors!
Here are some steps to follow for the design competition:
Announcing the winners!
Once you have received entries, your EcoMarines crew can decide on the winning design and announce it on assembly. EcoMarines and Urban Utilities will provide you with prizes for the winning design and two runners up! The winning design will also go in the draw to win the intra-school competition prize announced at The Wave which includes a Tangalooma Family Day Trip and the opportunity for a professional graphic designer to redraw the winning ‘Water Hero’.
Make sure you email your winning entry/entries to the EcoMarines team to see ensure the student gets to participate in the intra-school competition!
Useful Links:
Water Warriors Incursion: Schools that take up this Urban Utilities Challenge will receive a 100% subsidised Water Warriors show for your school so students can learn about the water cycle and how to save water. To book your incursion – school staff please book on the website (subject to region and availability).
This challenge involves holding a competition in your school community! Invite students to come up with a slogan about saving water. The winner from your school with the best slogan will be awarded a special EcoMarines reusable water bottle! The winner will also go in the draw along with entries from other schools to win a DAY TRIP CRUISE VOUCHER TO TANGALOOMA ISLAND RESORT (for 1 adult and 1 child).
First, organise an EcoMarines meeting to plan this challenge. You will need discuss the following:
How will you advertise the competition e.g. posters, assembly presentation, article in newsletter?
Where will students hand in their slogan entries e.g. to their teachers or to an EcoMarines ambassador?
How long will you run the competition for? We suggest 1-2 weeks.
Present on assembly to promote the Water Saver Slogan competition. Use this presentation to educate your school community about conserving water. You can share the important facts above, but make sure to educate others on easy ways to conserve water such as:
Turn the tap off while brushing your teeth
Fix leaking taps
Use the half flush setting on the toilet
Only have 4-minute showers
Do not play with water fountains at schools
Hand out and collect the entry forms.
It may be a good idea for students to sign-up to the challenge with their classroom teachers and then print the correct amount of entry forms to save paper.
Here is a template for an entry form:
Now you’ve got the tough job of choosing a winner with your EcoMarines crew. Good Luck! Once you have done so, please send an email with the winning entries and a few runners up into EcoMarines. Submission date: Friday 27th October.
Announce your winners on assembly!
EcoMarines can send you a special certificate to present to the winner! We will also ensure to have the Water Bottle dropped off at the school prior to the assembly. Don’t forget to take a few photos and send them into us!
If your school is part of Brisbane, Ipswich and Scenic Rim council regions, you can take part in this water conservation program. Urban Utilities will fit your school out with data loggers so that your school can collect real-time water consumption data over 12 months. The data can help your school lower water wastage!
Tangalooma EcoMarines Foundation Ltd is a registered Charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) and has Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR1) status with the Australian Tax Office (ABN 40 168 034 008). All eligible donations are tax-deductible.
