Earth Sciences Centre
Frequently Asked Questions
All our programs are fully subsidised for Victorian government schools by the Department of Education – i.e., there is no cost to schools. This includes bus travel if you are coming to Earth Ed on excursion, and our travel if we are coming to you for an incursion.
Earth Ed provides a variety of STEM focused programs for students in foundation to VCE. We have three types of programs:
Excursion – onsite at Earth Ed. Available to all schools.
Incursion – we come to your school to run our program. We will bring all the equipment required and let you know if we have any space requirements. Available to rural and metro-disadvantaged schools.
Online – short 30 minute sessions delivered online via Webex. Available to rural schools only.
Excursion: it is expected that schools arrive on time at Earth Ed for their program. Please ensure this is possible before confirming your booking.
Option A: 09:30–13:30
Option B: 10:00–14:00
Incursion: we will contact you to organise session times.
Adherence to the Department’s excursion requirements for staff-student ratios is expected when visiting Earth Ed, with a minimum of two staff members attending plus any additional staff required based on excursion numbers.
Accompanying staff are required to actively supervise, participate and engage in all aspects of a visit to Earth Ed.
• You are responsible for student behaviour at all times.
• You must supervise students at all times, including session breaks.
• You must bring a first aid kit, any relevant student information and medications.
• It is your responsibility to be aware of DET guidelines and you remain the person designated with duty of care. Care and responsibility of students remains the responsibility of the class teacher at all times. Be aware that an incursion with an external provider does not absolve supervision duties of the teacher, including first aid duties. A teacher must be present at all times and remain the person designated with duty of care responsibilities.
• Notify Earth Ed of any students with special requirements when confirming your booking.
Yes – adults without a WWCC are not allowed on school premises.
• All adults coming to Earth Ed will be required to sign in and show evidence of a current WWCC or VIT registration.
• It is the responsibility of the visiting school to ensure that all staff and any accompanying people attending Earth Ed have a current and valid VIT registration or WWCC.
• Earth Ed is under the jurisdiction of the Safe Schools Policy, and all staff possess a current working with children’s check.
• Earth Ed reserves the right to exclude any participant who impedes the delivery of a program or who acts in a way to put the safety and wellbeing of any other participant at risk.
• Students are expected to follow instructions and stay on task, listen while others are speaking and work productively.
• Students are expected to respect the environment they are in, the materials and equipment they are working with, and be respectful of others at all times.
• Students are assumed to have signed a responsible use of technology/devices with their school and are expected to use Earth Ed devices responsibly and as
directed.
• Teachers are responsible for ensuring appropriate student behaviour at all times.
• Teachers are expected to actively participate in programs with their class group.
• Earth Ed accepts no responsibility for personal items bought onsite.
Yes, students will be given the appropriate amount of breaks.
No, there is no option to purchase snacks or lunch at Earth Ed. Please ensure that students and staff bring all their own food.
All buses are organised through Ballarat Coachlines. Earth Ed will book the bus for you and it is the responsibility of the visiting school to finalise details directly with Ballarat Coachlines (T: 03 5335 5300).
• Further details will be included in your confirmation email.
• Earth Ed will provide one bus only for excursions to our Centre. If your student numbers are high and you require a second bus, you will need to organise and pay for the additional bus/transport.
• Schools are responsible for informing the bus company of any cancellations or changes to their booking.
Our priority is to government schools, however if we have availability we may accept bookings from non-government schools. Please note there will be a cost to attend for non-government schools, and you would need to organise your own transport.
Earth Ed must be advised of any changes to numbers or cancellations at least four (4) weeks prior to the visit. We aim to be flexible, please keep us updated with any changes or issues with your booking. Extenuating circumstances will be taken into consideration.
• Any school that cancels a booking within four (4) weeks of their scheduled program date will be charged a cancellation fee of $25 per student booked in.
• Any school that cancels within two (2) weeks of their scheduled program will be charged a $100 administration fee plus a cancellation fee of $25 per student booked in.
• Any school that cancels within one (1) week of their scheduled program will be charged a $250 administration fee plus a cancellation fee of $25 per student booked in.
• If you do not notify us of cancellation or change in your booking within 48 hours (2 days) of your booking, a $500 cancellation fee plus a $25 per student booked in fee will be charged.
• Any costs charged by the bus company to Earth Ed associated with your cancellation or changes will be passed on in full to the cancelling school.
Earth Ed reserves the right to:
• Reallocate your place if we are unable to confirm your booking or payment procedures are not followed.
• Modify program content in line with demand and availability of resources at any time.
• Vary fees for a program, impose administrative charges on overdue accounts or refuse to accept subsequent booking requests from schools that fail to pay any due fees or notify us of cancellations.
