The school’s innovative science program won a state award last week and the $20,000 prize money will ensure the program continues.

Science teachers Nadine Frankel and Kerry McCarthy accepted the outstanding curriculum innovation prize at the Victorian Education Excellence Awards last Friday.

The inspiring young scientists program was developed in conjunction with Deakin University in 2012.

Mrs Frankel said all students had weekly science lessons.

“For two hours a week Deakin students and our grade 3/4 pupils work on community science projects,” Ms Frankel said.

“They have been working on the Seal the Loop program with Zoos Victoria. It’s about putting bins in the local area for fishermen. They then collect the contents and see what’s in the bin. 

“It’s all about fighting marine entanglement.”

Students also go on class trips to study marine life in the local area and have installed fluker posts for environmental monitoring at the Hopkins River mouth and near the breakwater.

The program involves classroom creatures, a marine touch tank, specialised science equipment and learning space with a focus on local environments.

Mrs Frankel said she and Ms McCarthy were “shocked but extremely excited” to win the award.

Next term more than 100 pupils from local schools will visit Warrnambool East Primary School for a Dive Into Science day.