Science News
Our Year 8 scientists write about their recent Excursion and Incursion.
Year 8 Excursion at Kamay Botany Bay, Environmental Education Centre
On Tuesday 7 March our Year 8 class went on a fascinating excursion to Kamay Botany Bay, Environmental Education Centre. In Term 1 we had been investigating everything to do with the underwater: the anatomy of coral, the Great Barrier Reef, and oceanic adaptations. This intriguing adventure allowed us to take a closer look into one of Sydney’s very own biodiverse ecosystems and how everything has evolved, changed, and continues to work together.
When arriving at Kamay Botany Bay, the environment changed. It began to transform into a bushland at the brink of an ocean, rather than a city bordering the harbour. This national park provided an in depth example of how Sydney has evolved due to humans building, and destroying natural landscapes.
During the time here we worked hard, exploring the woodlands and the beach, and comparing the two types of environments. We also identified different animals by their appearance and description.
We also went down to the rock platform, investigating the different types of organisms that call it home. Tinged with sadness, we also learnt about the devastating human impacts such as climate change, plastic and noise pollution, infrastructure, oil spills and overfishing that have caused this seamless ecosystem to become vulnerable and for some species close to extinction. Additionally, the Year 8s explored how the Indigenous population used the local wildlife to build their own communities and the wide variety of native plants that inhabit this area. Overall, this excursion was filled with laughter, new experiences, and a different view of the topic. This excursion has allowed us to connect with what we are learning on a new level and elevate our learning further.
Isabella Brook
Year 8 Incursion a visit by George Evatt, International Cinematographer
On Wednesday of Week 7 George Evatt came to speak to Year 8. George is a well-known marine cinematographer who has filmed scenes for countless movies including the new movie “Blue Back”. He has worked with National Geographic and David Attenbourgh. This term Year 8 has been studying coral, adaptations and ecology, so he showed us amazing footage and images of marine life we have never even thought of before and that are only found of the east coast of Australia.
For example, the Blanket Octopus, an octopus so rare, few scientists have encountered it and very little is known about it.
We saw videos of blue whales just metres away from the camera and photos of weedy sea-dragons only found in Australia and ghostly footage of octopii and cuttlefish gliding across the sea bed, while changing and shifting their colour to blend into their surroundings.
Do you know why we have such incredible and unqiue marine life in Australia? It is because of the East Australian Current (EAC), which goes along the whole east coast and plunges into the cold Tasman waters. This current, while low in nutrients, transports warm water and a variety of organisms such as sea turtles, tuna, lobsters and dolphins.
Lastly, we learnt the three main ways humans impact and threaten oceans and all the life they contain; green house gases, overfishing, and pollution. He discussed the disappearance of the Giant Kelp Forests in Tasmania due to these human impacts, especially the heating of the waters around Tasmania due to the strengthening EAC (as a result of climate change).
Though this was depressing, we have learnt about some of the innovative things people have done to combat these imposing problems. For example, the Crown of Thorns Starfish invaded and ravaged the coral, devastating the reefs, and we learnt scientists have now created a robot that preys upon the starfish.
George Evatt showed us what we can do and why we should help the oceans and all the amazing life they contain. His photos of unique marine life just off the beach were captivating. He implored us to go snorkelling, to explore, to experience and to help the marine life and oceans. Overall, I thought it was an inspiring talk and, I can’t wait to go snorkelling!
Phoebe Lowe
