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My name is Simone Burzacott-Gorman. I am a Biology and Science Teacher with a background in Marine Toxicology. I believe that the voice of researchers meets a more important audience in classrooms. I am committed to taking students outside the bounds of the classroom and meeting the biology of life.
Our Year 11 (Senior School) Biology students will commence an immersive experience in the Port Adelaide River Estuary, South Australia (part of which is a marine protected area) in the coming weeks and it is their understanding and first hand experience in the estuary that they will bring to the international community.
The Port Adelaide River Estuary is home to the largest stand of Avicenna Marina (grey mangrove) in the southern hemisphere. This unique monoculture provides an important breeding, feeding and spawning ground for a wide variety of economically and ecologically important fish species. In addition, the area is home to a large pod of Tursiops truncatus (Bottlenose Dolphins) within close proximity to a major city (population 1 million) which is also globally unique. The area is a landscape of conflict and contrast with a visually spectacular juxtaposition of wildlife/wilderness and industry. Our largest power station is situated in this area as well as the states largest landfill. The area is also the repository of more than half of the states stormwater runoff and primary treated effluent.
Sadly the impact of climate change is starting to become evident in this area. Dolphins have become susceptible to viruses now able to thrive in slowly warming waters; exotic tropical species are taking a foothold and sea level rise is forcing the mangrove forest inland, reducing samphire flats sitting on their landward extension.
In order to allow our students to maximise their involvement with COP21 we have created 5 learning communities in our Biology classroom. Each of which are couched within the three guiding questions of COP21 IWPCC.
Climate Change In My Backyard : Our Current Context (False Tensions between Ecology and Economy)
- INTRODUCED SPECIES WORKING GROUP : Students will snorkel with groups focussing on introduced species including (Sabella Worms, Dinoflagelletes (Alexandria minutum), Cassiopea sp.
- ECOLOGY WORKING GROUP : Students will snorkel focussing on Seagrass beds, fish and invertebrate species and spawning. Visit Bird Island and understand climate change impacts on bird species.
- DOLPHIN WORKING GROUP : Participate in a Flense with Museum to understand pathogens, snorkel with dolphins.
Powering Tomorrow : The Energy Access Challenge (Human System and Carbon Budget)
- POWER & POLITICS GROUP : Investigation of impacts of power station, carbon capture technology and investigating alternative technology.
A Climate for Change : Youth Driving Solutions (any of the topics listed)
- THE VOICE OF CHANGE WORKING GROUP : Meeting with Local Minister for Parliament and discussing future plans, ideas and solution.
As part of this experience our students visit the area and undertake diving with our Experiencing Marine Sanctuaries NGO to give them authentic exposure to a real life environmental issue from which they can determine their own understanding and perspective.
We trust that our project focus will enable our students to make positive and educated contributions to the Global Decarbonize Project, providing an Australian context for Climate Change.
Want to know more :
Twitter #madgirlscience
Email : sburzacott-gorman@wilderness.com.au
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2 Comment(s)
Hi Simone and Ann,
I am also excited to be working with you to provide our students with an authentic and globally important learning experience. The contributions that each of the learning communities will provide to the Decarbonize Project will be interesting whilst also providing the world with a unique perspective on the global impact of climate change. Ben
Twitter #bonkersforBio
Hi Simone, I am thrilled to be working with you and enabelling our students to become globally connected and to actively participate in environmental stewardship. It would be great to share your planned outdoor events, such the snorkelling, with the Decarbonised community by the students making some videos to post as student blogs. Ann
Hi Ann,
Thanks for your vote of confidence. I envision our girls creating some imovies and videoscribes to share their experiences as a debrief to their initial cruise down the Port River as they take in their first experience of this amazing landscape. At the get go I will ask the girls to blog their experience and ideas ignited from Climate Change Ted Talks as well. Simone :)
Ben Foxwell
Sep 21, 2015