Turtles, teamwork, and a splash of trash at CQU island adventure
Primary school students set sail for Quoin Island as a part of CQUniversity's Buraligim Weiber (Place of Learning) program this week (Tuesday, 3 September).
More than 100 Year 4 students and staff from Gladstone West State School participated in an excursion filled with Science Technology Education and Mathematics (STEM) adventures and wildlife wonders led by CQU and local community organisations.
The Buraligim Weiber program, offered through CQU’s STEM Central, is funded by Australia Pacific LNG, operated downstream by ConocoPhillips.
The trip was also supported by an Engaging Science Grant after Gladstone West State School won an Education Queensland Showcase Award for embedding the program into the school in 2023.
The students rotated through educational sessions with representatives from Gladstone Healthy Harbour partners (GHHP), Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPCL), the Quoin Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre and the Tangaroa Blue Foundation.
Tangaroa Blue educated the students about the impacts of marine debris and conducted a beach cleanup, resulting in more than 16 kilograms of debris being collected from the island.
The items collected in 80 hard plastic remnants, 38 plastic lids, 24 pieces of broken glass, 20 rope and net remnants and 14 pieces of processed timber.
CQUniversity’s Associate Professor Linda Pfeiffer said the students were full of curiosity and excited to learn from the diverse array of experts in attendance.
“The questions certainly came thick and fast as the students were able to build new connections to country and understand how to better take care of the land and sea, and the wildlife that inhabits it,” Assoc Prof Pfeiffer said.
“The Quoin Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre was a highlight for many of the students and staff in attendance.
“The students were fascinated to discover the turtles currently residing at the rescue were all juvenile turtles, despite their size, and were curious to understand the many causes of injury and illness that lead to the turtles being cared for on Quoin Island.”
Associate Professor Pfeiffer acknowledged the works of the teachers, volunteers and experts in making the trip a success.
“In between the educational activities, the Indigenous students painted up their hands as part of their continuing work on a collaborative art piece with Byellee artist Trish Coleman," she said.
“Additional guests included our own CQU environmental scientist Sophie George and Gidarjil Ranger Marky Sullivan who the students enjoyed engaging with and learning more from throughout the day.”
