Scientist talks to students over internet

Marine studies students from Brisbane Water Secondary College Umina Campus have participated in a video conference presentation as part of the NSW Department of Education and Training Connected Classrooms Program.

Forty-five year nine students were able to hear and see a presentation from award-winning scientist Dr Brendan Kelaher as part of their marine studies class.

The video conference promoted interactivity in the classroom and gave students the opportunity to ask the scientist about his work.

Dr Kelaher is a marine biologist currently managing the Bateman's Bay Marine Park and working to understand the impact of over-fishing, coastal development, pollution, desalination and climate change on marine ecosystems.

His research aims to inform, science-based sustainable marine management solutions to the problem.

Students were thrilled to be a part of the Connected Classrooms Program.

"It was fun to experience a video conference for the first time and be the first at our school to do it," students Casey Wells and Ryan Brigden said.

Student Michael Rayner said using the internet to listen and interact with other people was a new experience and something he would like to see more of.

Newsletter, 5 Dec 2008 Brisbane Water Secondary College Umina Campus