School of Natural Science Community Engagement

Western Sydney High Schools Senior Science Academic Enrichment

The Universities environmental science academic and technical team are working in partnership with Longneck Lagoon and Brewongle Environmental Education Centres (EEC) to further develop and deliver terrestrial and aquatic ecology based education programs to senior high school students. School of Natural Science staff members contribute expertise, facilities and equipment to the programs with the aims of engaging students in their learning and enhancing science taught at high school.

A Longneck Lagoon EEC partnered two day terrestrial workshop ‘Crash Bandicoot in the Bush’, allows students to design a field study conduct field sampling, work in the laboratory, analyse results, form conclusions and suggest management strategies on the Hawkesbury campus. The workshop culminates with typically impressive presentations by the student groups of their study. Six workshops have been booked for 2011.

A Brewongle EEC partnered one day river based workshop ‘Checking the Pulse of the Hawkesbury’ allows students to undertake sampling and assessment from boats and shore to determine the state of the Hawkesbury River. Students consider the sites suitability for development in light of their results and catchment issues. This program is rapidly gaining in popularity with six workshops in place for 2011.

An Indigenous School Student Mentoring Program (ISSMP) workshop designed to engage students and promote an interest in ecology and science has been developed for south-western Sydney High Schools. It also raises awareness of possible future study and career options for students.

The coordinator for School of Natural Science involvement in these programs is Sue Cusbert.