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Case Study 10Hillside Geology Discovery Centre
The Hillside Geology Discovery Centre is a resource for schools in Western Australia which enables field work in the area of Earth Science. The location is rich with geological sites useful for teaching the Earth and Beyond strand of the WA curriculum framework. The facility incorporated an existing farm, Hillside, existing classrooms and other infrastructure which adjoins the Darling Scarp. The ASISTM project was funded to build a geological walk trail with resource materials for K-12 which would allow teachers and students to utilise the site more effectively. A project management group was established in December 2006 to over see the project. The group contained a range of personnel with diverse skills and experiences, including schools, a university, the City of Gosnells, Western Australia College of Agriculture and the Western Australian Department of Education and Training and the Education officer from the Chamber of Mineral and Energy. Seven schools participated in the project, comprising primary, secondary and senior secondary schools. There were also many industry partners that contributed to the project. These included Rio Tinto, Barrick Australia, premier Coal, Oxiana, BHP Billiton, Redaymix, Anglogold, Alcoa, Talison, and Meteor Stone. 
Hillside Geology Park – the Boulder Park with ores donated by mining companies from across WA is the starting point of a Geological Walk Trail.
The Full StoryThe project’s broad aims
Main outcomes of the project
Activities that Engaged the StudentsDevelopment of the Goldmine Trail was a collaborative venture between the management group, teachers and students. Students were actively involved in the design, creation and trialling of the trail. Issues such as liaising with grounds and recreation staff from local council to minimise the impact of the trail were all part of the learning process. Students were engaged in helping with the creation and assembly of safety barriers over mine entrances and also contributed to the trialling of suitable materials for the walk trail. The development of the Boulder Park was also a shared experience between staff and students. Fifteen one-tonne specimens which include limestone, granite, dolerite, diamond ore, tantalum ore, lithium ore, nickel ore, copper ore, zinc ore, three specimens of gold ore, iron ore, aluminium ore, and coal were the focus of the Park. The establishment of the Panning facility was also a joint project for staff, students and industry. Gold Ore was acquired which required crushing so that the ore was suitable for the panning activity. Students participated in trialling suitable equipment to refine what was the most appropriate way to use the equipment. Students found this task most invigorating and were both excited and positive about the outcomes achieved. Teacher Professional Learning
Resources DevelopedA most professional and high quality DVD has been developed along with an accompanying resource pack. The DVD provides a wide variety of teaching resources and visuals that support the study of Earth Sciences beyond the use of the Hillside Centre. These resources are an essential component of the Hillside Geology Discovery Centre, complementing the onsite facilities at the centre. Any requests for these resources should be referred to the Hillside Centre. Opening of the Hillside Geology Discovery CentreThe Centre was officially opened to the public on 7 May, 2008 by the Executive Director of Education for Western Australia. The opening ceremony was well attended by a wide range of members of the Education sector, university academic staff, industry and community. The Centre serves as a key resource for “hands-on” teaching of geology targeting students from years 6 to 12. SustainabilityThe Hillside Geology Centre is committed to broadening the ongoing utilisation of the site by school groups. Already there is evidence showing an increase and improvement in the teaching of Geology in several schools. Further promotion will be encouraged through the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA. In addition Earth Science WA will provide relief support for teachers to support schools in the usage of the site. The distribution of the DVD will also support the sustainability of the project. Reflection, evaluation and improvement
The challenge is to continue to increase the awareness of the facility and the resources available for both students and professional learning. The involvement of mining companies and the Chamber of Minerals and Energy highlights what outcomes are possible when partnerships are formed to support education projects. Further InformationHillside Geology Discovery Centre Telephone: (08) 9398 4971 Email: hillsidefarm@arach.net.au
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© Commonwealth of Australia, 2004 |
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