A Snow Education program is an experience of a lifetime, where students are spellbound with feelings of adventure and exhilaration.
They return to the school community with greater confidence in themselves, enhanced relationships and social skills, problem-solving skills and countless interesting insights – many of which have nothing to do with sports.
Ask yourself: what would you remember more clearly? Something that you learnt inside a classroom, or on top of the world in an amazing alpine environment?
The Australian Alps offer many learning opportunities that relate to the subject-specific learning strands, cross-curriculum priorities and general capabilities of the Australian Curriculum.
1. Discover alpine Aboriginal culture and history at Mt Hotham
Learning Area: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Histories and Cultures
At Mt Hotham, students have the opportunity to snow shoe or cross country ski the ancient Brabralung trail, which links Mt Hotham to the nearby alpine village of Dinner Plain. Along the way, they will learn 1000s of years of Aboriginal heritage in the region.
2. Experience hydroelectricity in action at Falls Creek
Learning Area: Sustainability
At Falls Creek, students learn about the Kiewa Hydroelectric Scheme – the largest water power-development scheme in Victoria, which produces 2% of the state’s electricity The renewable power it generates is crucial in responding to rapid changes in power usage and supporting other power stations.
Students will gain an understanding of the water-cycle and how the scheme generates power by diverting water through 32km of aqueducts, much of which is the snow melt from the alpine regions following winter.
3. Understand the science of snow-making at Mt Buller
Learning Area: Science
Complimenting a network of 244 snow making guns is the latest technology in snowmaking, known locally as ‘the snowfactory’. This technology has become a game-changer for ski resorts like Mt Buller, which rely on snow-making facilities to ensure a high quality snow product from the start of June to the end of September – regardless of the weather.
Discover how water is separated into small particles and infused with nucleating agents, to create tiny ice crystals that are shot through the snowmaking hoses, and just how much water is involved in the snowmaking process. Students will also learn how Mt Buller stores and supplies this water.
4. See community and environmental engagement in action at Perisher
Learning area: Personal and social responsibility
With it’s EpicPromise initiative, Perisher is a shining exemplar of corporate social responsibility brought to life through environmental and community activities.
Students will hear inspiring stories of employees volunteering to clean up and improve public facilities while learning about the innovative ways Perisher is working towards the following goals by 2030:
- Zero net emissions
- Zero waste to landfill
- Zero operating impact to forests and wildlife habitat
Discover how the owner of Perisher, Vail Resorts, is committed to maintaining the success of the business while supporting and empowering the surrounding community through infrastructure and sustainable regional development.
Get the ball rolling now – it’s not too late to schedule a 2018 snow tour, and it’s not too early to start planning one for 2019.
Get started by calling 1800 331 050 or emailing info@worldstrides.com.au
