Bushfire Kids Connect, Growing with Gratitude and Makers Empire Deliver Naturally Brave to 40 NSW and SA Schools

Following two years of the Bushfire Brave program in SA with Bushfire Kids Connect, and a Naturally Brave pilot with Growing With Gratitude in SA last year, Makers Empire was delighted to team up with Growing With Gratitude and Bushfire Kids Connect to deliver Naturally Brave to 20 NSW schools and 20 SA schools.

The project is funded by the Australian Government National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Disaster Ready Funding (DRF) 2023/2024.

The Naturally Brave program for grade 3-6 students aims to:

Help students understanding their highest potential disaster risk in their local community context and creating a ‘disaster reduction risk action plan’ responsive to their location.
Help students to be well-informed and understand why natural disasters happen, how they are controlled, their impact on the environment, and approaches to disaster management that promote sustainability. Indigenous land management will help us understand the importance of the why, where and how of natural disasters.
Support students’ emotional wellbeing by teaching skills including ownership and a focus on service to others (volunteering), self-awareness, gratitude, empathy and kindness, as well as coping strategies in an evacuation.
Empower students as problem solvers and creative designers who can make a difference in their families’ lives. Students will use the design thinking problem-solving methodology and 3D design to create solutions to help during an evacuation such as packing a bag, helping mum and dad, protecting animals etc.

The program kicked off in July with professional development days for participating teachers in three locations.

Naturally Brave in SA

On 26 July, SA teachers gathered at Walkerville Town Hall for the Naturally Brave professional development day hosted by Makers Empire.

The 20 participating schools were Loxton Lutheran School, Trinity College Roseworthy, St Anthony’s School, Millicent North Primary School, Nuriootpa Primary School, Reidy Park Primary School, Mount Pleasant Primary School, North Ingle School, Bute Early Learning and Primary School, Roseworthy Primary School, Nairne School- Preschool & Primary School, St Joseph’s School Clare, Orroroo Area School, Karoonda Area School, Thiele Primary School, Gumeracha Primary School, Investigator College, Kidman Park Primary School, St Joseph’s School West Hindmarsh and Saint Peter’s Girls School.

Naturally Brave in Byron Bay, NSW

On 29 July, NSW teachers gathered at Byron Bay Services Club for the Naturally Brave professional development day hosted by Makers Empire.

The 8 participating schools were Kingstown Public School, The Risk Public School, Rappville Public School, Byron Bay Public School, Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School, St Finbarr’s Primary School Byron Bay, Pacific Valley Christian School and St Joseph’s Primary School Maclean.

Naturally Brave in Sydney, NSW

On 31 July, NSW teachers gathered at St Aidan’s Primary School Rooty Hill for the Naturally Brave professional development day hosted by Makers Empire.

The 12 participating schools were Blayney Public School, Trunkey Public School, Exeter Public School, Calderwood Christian School, NextSense School, St Aidan’s Primary School, Rooty Hill, Blacktown North Public School, Campbelltown Public School, Bundeena Public School, Mona Vale Public School, St Angela’s Primary School and Tyndale Christian School.

Participating schools received a package worth a total of $8,500 comprising:

2+ teachers will participate in the Makers Empire Learning By Design program
1 x 12 months Makers Empire School Subscription (3D design software, teacher dashboard, 130 curriculum-aligned lesson plans, built-in assessment, professional development (PD), ongoing support, updates and maintenance).
Access to the Naturally Brave Challenge Course in the Makers Empire 3D App. challenge course.
1 x Flashforge Adventurer 4 Pro 3D printer, 5 rolls of PLA filament, support, training ands shipping.
Print credits to Makers Empire 3D print bureau.
Hospitality for PD days and Showcase Days
12-month subscription to the Growing With Gratitude fully resourced online program, which includes lessons, activities, games, display posters and more to help support student wellbeing.
A copy of Growing With Gratitude: Building Resilience, Happiness & Mental Wellbeing in Our Schools & Homes for each staff member of a school.

Following the PD days, teachers and students will work through the Naturally Brave challenge course at school. Schools will then come together again in term 4 to share and celebrate their learning at student showcases.