Victorian icon Puffing Billy Railway is creating new tracks for student’s learning journeys in engineering and technology, encouraging young minds outside the classroom through the unique history of a century-old heritage steam railway.
Expanding its curriculum-aligned education program, Endless Discovery, the railway now invites students from Foundation to VCE on board the discovery train with the addition of three new programs and a virtual excursion experience.
Honing students’ skills in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and Humanities, the new programs aim to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and inventors through the steam locomotive, a mode of transport which gave the world many of the technological advances we benefit from today.
The three new guided programs offered include:
Maths in Motion – Year 5 – Year 8
Puffing Billy Railway Pathways – Year 9 – Year 10
Sustainable Tourism at the Railway – VCE (Year 11, Geography)
Launched in 2022, Endless Discovery is linked to the Victorian Early Years Learning Framework and the Victorian curriculum and is led by Puffing Billy Railway Education Officers.
Each program combines the Puffing Billy train journey with interactive learning activities that engage students in a diverse set of topics such as probability and statistics, environmental, social, cultural and economic sustainability at the railway and how technological advances have impacted work roles in the community.
Turning the wheels in engines and students’ minds, excursions also include an immersive guided workshop at the Lakeside Visitor Centre as they experience the inner workings of the Puffing Billy Railway steam train and learn about engineering systems, sustainability, community, history, materials, tools, design and technology.
The introduction of the Endless Discovery virtual excursion program will also welcome a new cohort of students to experience the Puffing Billy journey from afar. Schools who opt for the virtual experience will have access to the same range of education programs as the guided tours, from Early Years through to VCE.
For both options, teachers are provided with pre and post learning resources for students to complete in the classroom before and after the excursion.
“We are thrilled to be expanding our Endless Discovery program and introducing a virtual option for those who cannot experience the railway in person. The response to the program so far has been fantastic, with close to 9,000 students participating in the first year and an eagerness for programs targeted at higher year levels leading to the development of our three new offerings,” Puffing Billy Railway Education Officer Peta Howard said.
Bookings are now available for Term 1, 2, and 3 of 2023.
Journey: Belgrave – Lakeside, Return Journey – Other options available
Time: 10am – 2pm, weekdays (based on availability)
Cost:
Guided: From $24.90 per student
From $36 per adult
Virtual Excursions: From $150 per session
For more information, please head to https://puffingbilly.com.au/
