The legacy of legendary nature conservationist, the late Dr Jane Goodall, will live on through a new educational program open to all schools in 2026.

The Rewild Your World program is the result of a collaboration between the NSW Department of Education’s STEM Enrichment team, education group Upschool.co and the Jane Goodall Institute Australia.

Rewild Your World is a curriculum-aligned program that can be integrated into preschools, primary schools, and high schools. Each resource, lesson plan, and teacher document is editable, allowing educators to adapt learning for their school context.

Every participating student will select their own Champion Animal, a local species that becomes the focus of study and protection. Through this lens, they explore biodiversity, habitats, ecosystems, and sustainability, connecting classroom learning to the real world.

From planting native trees and restoring local bushland to designing wildlife corridors and raising awareness about endangered species, Rewild Your World turns schools into hubs of action and leadership. Students are encouraged to research, plan, collaborate, and evaluate their efforts using evidence-based science and digital storytelling.

NSW Department of Education STEM Enrichment Coordinator, Professor Scott Sleap said Rewild Your World inspired students to see themselves as part of something bigger.

“This will be a generation learning from nature and leading change for our planet,” he said.

“Through engaging, purposeful learning, this partnership connects young people with the power of STEM and the exciting careers that will drive Australia’s journey to Net Zero. It transforms curiosity into action and empowers students to shape a more sustainable future.”

Through digital platforms, students can share their stories and showcase their learning, creativity, and contribution to positive change across NSW.

At its core, the program blends STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) with creativity, ethical reasoning, and moral understanding, encouraging students to see the interconnectedness of knowledge and action.

It engages children in hands-on environmental projects that foster critical thinking and problem-solving while also developing the emotional and social skills that define lifelong learners, empathy, compassion, determination, persistence, and resilience.

The Department’s STEM Enrichment curriculum experts were working alongside Upschool and the Institute to support the program’s alignment with NSW curriculum priorities and pedagogical approaches to STEM.

“This collaboration draws on explicit teaching, inquiry-based, and student-centred practices to help create meaningful learning experiences that empower students to take informed action for the environment,” Professor Sleap said.

The program also builds bridges between schools and their local communities, inviting families, councils, and conservation groups to take part. Through these partnerships, young people learn that education has the power to transform not just their understanding of the world, but the world itself.

Each project is underpinned by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), helping students understand that small acts in their own community contribute to global change.

Upon completion, schools will be invited to achieve the Jane Goodall Institute Australia accreditations at bronze, silver, and gold levels. These rewards publicly recognise the tangible outcomes of each school’s environmental projects, from measurable habitat restoration to student-led awareness campaigns.

Following the recent passing of Dr Jane Goodall, her legacy of hope, peace, and respect for all living things takes on even greater meaning. Rewild Your World ensures that her life’s work continues to inspire the next generation by turning admiration into action.

Schools across New South Wales – government and non-government - are invited to express their interest in adopting Rewild Your World as part of their long-term planning for 2026 and beyond.

Register your interest here.