Ambassadors Launch Environmental Documentary

The Secret Life of Animals may resemble one of those National Geographic or Discovery Channel documentaries. It does involve filming and exploration, but with different characters behind and in front of the camera.

The young moviemakers running the project are the EcoMarines Ambassadors at Pallara State School. No high-tech video equipment is needed as these environmental filmmakers simply use their phones and local knowledge to produce amazing educational videos.

Echidnas, honeybees, and possums—both adult and baby—have already starred in a film series that so far consists of five episodes. The animal footage is captured from the species found on the school grounds and the surrounding area.

“We usually go somewhere in the school, and we record ourselves talking about that animal. Then, we share the video with other kids so that they can be more aware of the wildlife around them,” EcoMarines Ambassador Miriam says.

By watching the videos, the rest of the students will learn more about specific animals, where they were seen in the school and what they were doing when spotted.

“With the videos we have, we put them on the school parade/assembly. Then all the students there that day get to see the video and be educated about the school wildlife,” Miriam explains.

“We expect to achieve better education and more care for the environment. We hope also to achieve a cleaner, more environmentally friendly school.”

Pallara State School’s environmental project is a call out to other teachers and Ambassadors who are seeking inspiration for their sustainability endeavours.

“We came up with the idea of making a series of videos from inspiration on the internet. We were wondering what we should do next, and then we saw something similar to the Secret Lives of Animals and decided to create one of our own in the school,” Miriam concludes.