Wet Ditch
Directions: Wet Ditch is a section of the creek that is immediately visible once you have entered from the Mackenzie Street gate. To access to section known as Wet Ditch you can either walk straight up the creek from the storm water drain or walk up Blue Metal Road to a track 150m on your left. It is easy to walk past this location, as most groups and individuals who visit the mountain do, but if you take the time to explore the space is rich in discoveries. Named on a year where the area experienced enough rain to keep this place wet, in dry years there is no water to be found. From pools created by water flowing over rocks, to shaded nooks with tiny creatures hiding underneath and in-between, Wet Ditch is a place to slow down. Clay and mud are a key resource here, so prepare to get muddy!!
Investigation and Discovery
Question: Is there water around or are we in drought? Sit a moment, watch and listen, how do you feel? Can you hear any frogs? Can you see any tadpoles? When you pause for long enough, which creatures come out to bask in the sun?
The Wet Ditch, as its name suggests, give students access to shallow, flowing water, to explore and engage with. The water brings with it an abundance of biodiversity as well as an ever-changing environment. These things naturally drive curiosity and a desire to investigate in the students. Using tools, their senses, and hunger to learn, students continue to demonstrate the draw of a natural spaces and the many lessons that can be found therein.
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In the heart of Wet Ditch, students are not only explorers but also budding scientists, poised for experimentation, innovation, and discovery in this semi-wild natural canvas. Here, the possibilities for hands-on learning and creativity are as abundant as the thriving life forms they encounter. As they gather by the water's edge, armed with magnifying glasses, art journals, and cameras, they embark on a journey of scientific inquiry; seeking solutions to environmental puzzles, and in the process, learning about the relationships that bind this ecosystem together:
How might human activities in the surrounding area, such as construction or water diversion, influence the creek's water levels and the life it supports? What can be done to protect and preserve this delicate ecosystem?
In Wet Ditch, discovery isn't a solitary act but a collective journey where students collaborate, question, and push the boundaries of their understanding, forging a profound connection with their local environment and cultivate not just knowledge but also a tangible ecological identity. They learn to perceive the intricate web of life that thrives within seasonal aquatic ecosystems, gaining insights into the principles that govern this hidden world. As they scamper over rocks, follow ant trails in the clay, and meander along waterways, they learn first-hand about the meaning of biodiversity, fostering an intimate understanding of the delicate balance that sustains life in this exciting natural microcosm.
Curious, Creative, and Dirty!
Question: Can you make a boat to run down the stream? How does the water feel? Can you build a dam with rocks to slow the water? Are there patches of clay that you could use to build? How comfortable are you with getting muddy or wet?
With access to flowing water students are drawn to the wet ditch, particularly in the rain or just after it has occurred. Any play involving water is a balancing act between discovery and the risks/rewards of getting wet. Students are always drawn closer to the bank, testing out how the water feels on their hands or feet, the seeing the possibilities for play and learning. Some slowly consider the potential outcomes and risks, others are in the creek without a second thought. This sort of play, where you may end up wet and/or muddy, is joyful for some, while making others nervous, is always an opportunity for the community to extend and challenge themselves. Getting comfortable with the uncomfortable is important! For those who shy away from getting muddy, how can we support them with gum boots and cover-alls so that they feel more confident to explore? How can families and educators let go of the ‘mud’ as a perceived challenge and enable deep investigation?
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As an educator at Blue Gum, I've had the privilege of witnessing the transformative experiences that the school community undergoes when immersing themselves in spaces like Wet Ditch. Nestled gently alongside the creek, this unassuming gem often eludes the attention of those who visit our beautiful mountain. However, for those who choose to engage with it closely, Wet Ditch contains a world of captivating possibilities. Its name itself reflects the dynamic character of this sanctuary, flourishing under the embrace of abundant rains while becoming completely unrecognisable during times of drought. Its allure to the students lies in its dual nature, ever evolving with the rhythm of the seasons, a testament to nature's adaptability.
At the Wet Ditch, students forge a profound connection with their local environment, cultivating not just knowledge but also a tangible ecological identity. They learn to perceive the intricate web of life that thrives within seasonal aquatic ecosystems, gaining insights into the adaptations, relationships, and principles that govern this hidden world. As they scamper over rocks, follow ant trails in the clay, and meander along waterways, they touch the very heart of biodiversity, fostering an intimate understanding of the delicate balance that sustains life in this microcosm.
However, exploring Wet Ditch extends beyond the realm of academics; it's an odyssey of self-discovery and emotional connection. In these spaces, students embrace the unpredictable, willingly get their hands dirty, and unearth the treasures of the natural world with every step. They develop their own understanding of their own rights and responsibilities as citizens of the world, and profound sense of joyful stewardship for the ecosystems they inhabit. Through their physical and emotional immersion, they cultivate a lifelong commitment to preserving the wonders of nature, not as detached observers, but as active participants in the intricate dance of life. Wet Ditch becomes a canvas upon which students paint their ecological journey, a journey that transcends the classroom, nurturing a bond with the environment that will endure far beyond their time at Blue Gum.