Science & Technology

Science & Technology

Head of Faculty – Science & Technology

Chris Pacey

 

Year 11 Marine Science – Lodestone Reef Excursion 

Year 11 Marine Science students have been looking at a Unit on Marine ecology and biodiversity. On the weekend of 20 July, students headed out to Lodestone Reef for the day to collect data for their student experiment. Students had the chance to look at how to sample while snorkelling and using quadrats and transects to estimate population sizes and compare populations. Investigations included the collection of data looking at how sea cucumber populations varied across various reef habitats, while other students collected data to look at how reef diversity changes depending on your location across the different reef zones. We also managed to spot humpback whales in the distance on the way out as they head up the coast of Australia ready to give birth to their young. Despite the rough ride out, all students took this opportunity to learn more about our Great Barrier Reef and how scientists work to better understand the process and roles it plays

Year 12 Marine Science – Magnetic Island Excursion

Year 12 students are currently studying a Unit that investigates the ecology of inshore coral reefs. Their assessment task involves students writing an environmental impact assessment  relating to a hypothetical development proposal on Magnetic Island. This week, students visited Geoffrey Bay, Magnetic Island to collect primary data to give them a baseline of coral health and coral diversity. Students used quadrats and transects, and analysed water quality to help make recommendations regarding the management of development actions.

 

Museum of Underwater Art

On Friday 2 August, St Patrick’s College Marine Science Students were among some of the first in Townsville to experience a virtual reality tour of the proposed ‘Greenhouse’ underwater art to be installed on John Brewer Reef.

Year 12 student, Anna Shaju Chirackal, said the MOUA “Provides a great opportunity for research, tourism and art to showcase our Reef, our region, and draw attention to environmental factors affecting the Great Barrier Reef”.

The Townsville Museum of Underwater Art would be the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, placing it on the global map alongside other installations in the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Mexico and London. Townsville Enterprise recently released an Economic Impact Assessment on what the proposed MOUA would have on the Townsville North Queensland economy.