Why does your school need SOS?
- If your school is on the coast, your kids probably go to the beach all the time and it is therefore extremely important that they understand how beaches, waves and rips work. They probably don't know as much as they think they do!
- If your school is away from the coast, your kids probably go to the beach infrequently which means they probably don't have a good understanding of beach and surf conditions and are therefore at high risk. Statistics in Australia show that most coastal drowning are from inland suburbs and towns.
- The Science of the Surf is visually based and essentially "brings the beach to the classroom".
- School kids can never have enough surf education and the Science of the Surf is the only surf education program to have been awarded a NSW Department of Education and Training Frater Award for Excellence in School Performance.
All talks are given by Dr Rob Brander 'Dr Rip'.
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What kind of talks are available for schools?
1) Science of the Surf for Years 3-6
Length: approx 50 minutes including student question time
Format: Powerpoint with photographs and movies
Topics Covered: Standard beach safety education focussing on wave formation, wave types, wave breaking, rip currents, beach types.
Learning Material: website quiz and fact sheets, school provided with copies of a rip current survival guide poster and DVD and a copy of 'Dr Rip's Essential Beach Book; everything you wanted to know about surf, sand and rips'
A copy of the primary school advertising flyer can be downloaded here (note: link to sos primary generic. Doc)
2) Science of the Surf for Years 7-12
Length: approx 45 minutes including student question time
Format: Powerpoint with photographs and movies
Topics Covered: Same material as above, but with more detailed information on coastal processes and beaches.
Learning Material: website quiz and fact sheets, school provided with copies of a rip current survival guide poster and DVD and a copy of 'Dr Rip's Essential Beach Book; everything you wanted to know about surf, sand and rips'
3) Coastal Processes and Management for Years 7-12
Length: approx 45 minutes including student question time
Format: Powerpoint with photographs and movies
Topics Covered: Coastal impacts of climate change, sea level rise, storms, beach erosion, coastal management options, coastal processes, beach hazards. Perfect for Year 10 Geography curriculum.
Learning Material: website quiz and fact sheets, school provided with copies of a rip current survival guide poster and DVD and a copy of 'Dr Rip's Essential Beach Book; everything you wanted to know about surf, sand and rips'
A copy of the high school advertising flyer can be downloaded here (note: link to sos high school generic.doc)
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Learning Outcomes
After the presentation, students will:
- Understand how beaches form and the environmental issues which affect them;
- Understand how waves are created and what the different types of waves are ;
- Recognise types of breaking waves and identify safe and unsafe waves;
- Be able to identify rip currents and know why, when and how they form ;
- Know how to react safely if caught in a rip ;
- Be able to identify the different types of beaches in NSW and Australia and their associated hazards ;
- Recognise the importance and limitations of beach flags and hazard signs ;
- Gain valuable surf safety and survival tips;
- Be more knowledgeable and confident in the surf .
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Logistics
Cost is $4 per student
Minimum #students is 75
Multiple sessions recommended for 200+ students
Schools will need to provide:
- Digital projector and screen or smart board;
- A room/venue capable of being semi-darkened to maximise presentation impact.
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Awards and Feedback
In 2007, SOS was awarded the prestigious NSW Department of Education and Training Frater Award for Excellence in School Performance. This award was based on feedback questionnaires completed by teachers who had seen the presentation.
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