The study of weeds provides an excellent opportunity for students to engage in applied science in the classroom, the field and through the use of the internet. Weeds provide a strong platform for understanding about the effects of weeds on biodiversity, the costs to primary production and on people's health and way of life.

The following resources will help new generations of Weedbusters learn about weeds and their impacts, and what to do about them.

Wondering about weeds - draft for trial

Wondering about weeds is a new educational resource designed for primary students (Years 3-7). It reflects the structure and teaching and learning strategies of the Primary Connections units produced by the Australian Academy of Science - engage, explore, explain, elaborate and evaluate. This unit fits within the national curriculum under the Life and Living (Living Things) strand. Outcomes and Essential Learnings identified within the unit are taken from the Department of Education and Training's Scope and sequence Years 1-9 for middle primary years. Teachers are invited to trial this unit. For a copy of this unit or for more information, contact the Queensland Weedbuster coordinator.

Weed detectives

Weed Detectives is an interactive activity designed for middle to upper primary and secondary students. By using the magnifying glass, you can find up to 10 weeds and find out what they are and why we need to control them. Weed Detectives also links you to factsheets and loads more information.

• Weed detectives interactive activity

Weed Warriors schools education program

Weed Warriors is a free, innovative schools education program that aims to increase school and community understanding of, and involvement in, local weed issues. Schools partner with local weed officers, land managers and community groups to implement a biological control program for a regional priority weed.

The Weed Warriors program is suitable for all levels of education, though the program is often targeted at Years 3-7 in primary schools and Years 8-9 in secondary schools.

If lantana, cat's claw creeper, salvinia, blue heliotrope or harrisia cactus weeds are a problem in your area, you can become involved in Weed Warriors. For further information, contact the Weed Warriors coordinator on 07 3224 7704.

If you would like a copy of the documents sent via mail, please contact:

Weedbuster Coordinator
Invasive Plants and Animals
Biosecurity Queensland
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
GPO Box 46, Brisbane Qld 4001

Queensland Weedbuster activity kit

The Weedbuster activity kit is aimed at children aged 10-12 years and teaches the importance of controlling weeds. It contains creative activities to help identify and manage the spread of weeds.

All items in the kit can be downloaded.

Complete Weedbuster activity book

• Weedbuster activity book (PDF, 3.7 MB)

Action plans

Find out what you can do to fight the weed invaders.

• Junior action plan
• Why be a weedbuster?

National Weedbuster book

Weedbusters: Activities, information and curriculum links

This book was developed by the Gould League and the National Weeds Strategy as part of the National Weedbuster Program.

It provides a refreshing approach to weed education suitable for the classroom and the outdoors, and is filled with diverse information and activities that encourage students to explore weeds from a number of perspectives - beginning with their own.

Activities offer many learning outcomes, particularly in Science and Studies of Society and Environment (SOSE) at curriculum levels 3, 4 and 5.

To purchase a copy contact the Gould League. To view sample pages, please visit the National Weedbuster Week website. Please note this book is not available from the Weedbuster coordinator.