World-leading marine scientists Zoom in to help Year 12s

Some of the world’s leading marine scientists will Zoom in to high school classrooms this term to help Year 12 students achieve their best in their final year of study amid COVID-19.

With restrictions keeping scientists grounded, WA-based researchers have responded by offering their expertise to students studying marine and maritime subjects. 

Researchers are assisting from:

• UWA
• Murdoch University
• Edith Cowan University
• Curtin University
• CSIRO
• Australian Institute of Marine Science
• State government departments managing Parks and Wildlife (DBCA) and Fisheries research (DPIRD)

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 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,” he 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
• 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 help final-year students through a difficult time.

 “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," he said.