Earth Sciences Centre
Frequently Asked Questions
* All Earth Ed programs are fully funded for Victorian government schools — there is no charge for students attending an Earth Ed program.
* Outreach (incursion) programs are available only to schools classified by the Department of Education as rural or metro disadvantaged.
* Remote (online) sessions are available only to schools classified as rural.
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.
Onsite
* Programs run from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm to give students the best possible learning experience. Sticking to these times helps ensure they can take part in all planned activities. Any changes to this schedule must be communicated to Earth Ed on confirmation of booking.
* Late arrival may compromise the quality of the program or the ability to deliver it in full.
* Please alert Earth Ed as soon as possible if running late.
Outreach
* We will contact you to organise session times.
Schools must adhere to required staff–student ratios when visiting Earth Ed, with a minimum of two supervising staff members, plus any additional staff required based on excursion numbers.
* Visiting teachers are expected to actively supervise students at all times, including during breaks, and to participate in all aspects of the visit.
* Teachers are responsible for maintaining appropriate student behaviour throughout the program.
* Visiting schools must bring a first aid kit and any required student medications.
* Teachers must comply with Department of Education excursion guidelines and understand that excursions carry an increased duty of care. The class teacher remains the person designated with duty of care and retains responsibility for student supervision at all times.
* Incursions with external providers do not remove supervision or first aid duties. A teacher must be present at all times and remain responsible for duty of care.
* Please notify Earth Ed of any special requirements when confirming your booking.
Note: Schools must adhere to required staff–student ratios when visiting Earth Ed, with a minimum of two supervising staff members, plus any additional staff required based on excursion numbers.
* 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 adults attending Earth Ed have a current and valid VIT registration or WWCC.
* Adults without a WWCC will not be allowed on school premises.
* 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. In group situations and stay in the allocated work area.
* 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.
* Schools may be liable for any damage caused by their students to equipment or furniture.
* Students are expected to stay in the defined areas, as indicated by Earth Ed staff while at Earth Ed.
* 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.
* No mobile phones or music players are permitted.
* Students will be given a recess and lunch break.
* Please ensure that students and supervising adults bring all their own food as there is no facility to purchase snacks or lunch onsite.
No, there is no option to purchase snacks or lunch at Earth Ed. Please ensure that students and staff bring all their own food.
* Earth Ed offers fully subsidised bus travel for Government schools.
* Buses must be booked through Ballarat Coachlines.
Earth Ed will book the bus on your behalf, and you will need to finalise details directly with Ballarat Coachlines by emailing [email protected].
* Schools are responsible for informing the bus company and Earth Ed of any cancellations or changes to their booking.
* Further details are included in the confirmation email.
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.
* Upon registration, Earth Ed requires schools to book for an approximate number of students.
* Final confirmation of numbers and full payment is required 14 days prior to your visit. After this time no refunds will be given if student numbers change and any additional students will be invoiced post visit. Non-government schools are required to organise and pay for their own transport to and from Earth Ed.
Cancellations must be made in writing by emailing [email protected]. Cancelling a booking must be done within two school weeks prior to the program date. Any charges associated with your visit will be charged back to your school if this does not occur.
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.
