Further Education with Steve Baines & the Rodney Rainbow Books
At Pond Works, we don’t just design and build ponds and streams for schools and kindergartens, we help bring them to life as powerful learning environments.
Across Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast our team creates naturalistic ponds and pondless streams that become outdoor classrooms. But what truly sets Pond Works apart is our ability to support the education component long after construction is complete.
That’s where Steve Baines comes in.
Meet Steve Baines – Champion of Freshwater Education
Steve Baines is an Australian author and. native freshwater fish expert with decades of experience exploring rivers and creating award winning natural aquarium and reptile exhibits. For nearly 40 years, he has overseen the iconic “Fish Aquariums” attraction at the Royal Queensland Show, inspiring generations of families to appreciate Australia’s aquatic life.
His passion lies in educating children about freshwater ecosystems, water quality and native fish and his values align perfectly with what we build.
When Pond Works installs a school pond or stream, Steve helps transform it into a curriculum aligned learning hub.
The Rodney Rainbow Series
Steve’s beautifully written and illustrated children’s books make environmental education engaging and memorable:
- I Believe in Rainbows – A heartwarming story introducing Rodney the Rainbowfish, teaching children about friendship and the importance of clean water.
- Rodney Meets the Space Invaders – An exciting journey into local waterways, filled with fascinating aquatic life and environmental discovery.
- Rodney Swims with the Dinosaurs – A captivating blend of storytelling and science, showcasing the diversity and importance of of native fish species.
- Rainbow Jewels – his most recent release, celebrating the beauty and wonder of Australia’s freshwater ecosystems.
Perfect for primary schools, environmental centres and early learning facilities, these books inspire curiosity, environmental responsibility and a genuine love for the natural world.
School Incursions That Align with the Curriculum
When Pond Works builds a pond or stream in a school, we can include an optional incursion with Steve Baines as part of our proposal.
During his visit, Steve:
- Reads from his Rodney Rainbow series
- Runs patented interactive games
- Teaches students about native fish and local waterways
- Explains the importance of clean water and healthy ecosystems
- Aligns his presentations with key curriculum outcomes
His sessions are engaging, educational and structured to support learning outcomes in science, sustainability and environmental studies.
We can incorporate the cost of Steve’s initial visit directly into our school pond and stream construction quotes making the process seamless for school administrators.
And we guarantee once you see the engagement, you’ll want him back again.
Steve Baines
More than a Pond – A Living Classroom
A Pond Works school pond or stream is not just a landscape feature.
It becomes:
- A hands-on science resource
- A biodiversity habitat
- A sustainability teaching tool
- A mindfulness and wellbeing space
- A long-term environmental education asset
By combining expert pond design and construction with Steve Baines’ immersive educational incursions, we help schools create meaningful outdoor learning spaces that support both the curriculum and community values.
Building School Ponds & Streams Across South East Queensland
Pond Works specialises in
- School pond construction
- Kindergarten water features
- Pondless streams for childcare centres
- Water features designed to meet school requirements
Based in South East Queensland, we service Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and travel beyond for the right projects.
If your school is considering building a pond or stream to enhance environmental education, we would love to help you design a feature that inspires students for decades to come.
Because when children meet Rodney the Rainbowfish in their very own school pond learning suddenly becomes unforgettable.
Steve Baines – Rodney Rainbow Book Reading