Some of the world’s leading marine scientists will be Zooming in to high school classrooms this term to help Year 12 students achieve their best in their final year of study amid the COVID-19 confusion.
With the COVID restrictions keeping scientists grounded, Western Australian-based researchers from The University of Western Australia (UWA), Murdoch University, Edith Cowan University, Curtin University as well as federal government agencies CSIRO, the Australian Institute of Marine Science, and state government departments managing Parks and Wildlife (DBCA) and Fisheries research (DPIRD) have responded to the challenging time in education by offering their expertise to students studying marine and maritime subjects.
Led by WA marine science school teachers through the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI) partnership, students will have unprecedented access to pitch questions about final year subjects to the top scientists in their field of research.
Coordinator and Sacred Heart College marine science teacher John Ryan described it as a great opportunity for final year students who have been finding it hard to stay motivated.
“This is an exciting opportunity for all Year 11 and 12 Marine and Maritime students to learn from the scientists who are at the forefront of research on these subjects,” Mr Ryan said.
Each week a scientist will conduct a presentation on one of the subjects in the curriculum followed by a question and answer session. The sessions will also be recorded and made available to teachers and students across the state.
The broad topics covered include major issues affecting Australia’s marine environment; strategies for managing marine biodiversity; and the impact of the enhanced greenhouse effect.
UWA Professor of Coastal Oceanography Charitha Pattiaratchi, who was involved in modelling the possible path of debris from the missing Malaysian airliner MH370, said scientists were happy to be able to help final year students through a difficult time.
“When I was 15 I had a little blue note book and on it I had written a note I’d copied from a comic book about a career as an oceanographer that motivated me to become an oceanographer,” Professor Pattiaratchi said. “I hope in some way we can help to keep these students motivated to pursue a career that will see them help solve some of the marine environment’s greatest challenges.
Contacts:
John Ryan – Marine Science Teacher Coordinator, Sacred Heart College (08) 9246 8245
Aleta Johnston – WAMSI Communications Manager 0431 514 677
ZOOM INTO SCHOOLS PRESENTERS
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Professor Anas Ghadouani Professor of environmental Engineering, The University of Western Australia
Issues affecting Australia’s marine environment: Water quality, pollutions issues, microplastics, wastewater discharge, zooplankton, phytoplankton, blue economy |
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Professor Chad L. Hewitt Director Biosecurity Research Centre, Harry Butler Institute Murdoch Defence Research Coordinator, Research and Innovation Murdoch University
Issues affecting Australia’s marine environment: What are introduced species, why they are a problem, how they get here, why should we act, and what we are doing. |
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Professor Charitha Pattiaratchi Professor of Oceanography, Oceans Graduate School, The University of Western Australia
The impact of enhanced greenhouse effect: Global sea levels and Thermohaline current |
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Professor Glenn Hyndes Professor of Coastal Ecology, Edith Cowan University
The impact of enhanced greenhouse effect: Marine habitats and coastal communities |
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Dr Matthew Fraser Postdoctoral Fellow, The University of Western Australia
Issues affecting Australia’s marine environment: Loss of habitat |
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Professor Lynnath Beckley Senior researcher, Murdoch University (2020 Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA) Jubilee Award for her career contribution to marine research in Australia)
Strategies for managing biodiversity: Marine Protected Areas |
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Dr Michele Thums Senior researcher, Australian Institute of Marine Science
Strategies for managing biodiversity: Role of scientific research in marine environmental management |
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Dr Kelly Waples Senior Scientist / Science Coordinator at Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (Parks and Wildlife)
Strategies for managing biodiversity: Global protection of cetaceans. |
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Dr Alastair Harry Research Scientist, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (Fisheries research)
Strategies for managing biodiversity: Role of scientific research in marine environmental management – Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management |
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Dr Iain Parnum Senior Research Fellow, Curtin University
Strategies for managing biodiversity Seafloor mapping and its role in marine environment management |
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Dr Ming Feng Senior Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO
The impact of enhanced greenhouse effect: Indonesian Throughflow – thermocline current |
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Charlotte Birkmanis PhD Candidate, The University of Western Australia
Issues affecting Australia’s marine environment: Loss of habitat (from a shark point of view) |
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| Dr Marji Puotinen
Spatial – Ecological Data Scientist, Australian Institute of Marine Science
How tropical cyclones can cool overheated sea water and reduce the impacts of coral bleaching) |
