Student leaders from eleven state primary schools in the Ingham district dazzled scientists and sugar industry representatives with their presentations on water quality monitoring at the NRM Forum held at the Tyto Conference Centre on Wednesday 16 November.

Between August and November, more than 200 students gathered and analysed data which contributes to the 'Herbert River Water Quality Monitoring Program (HWQMP)'. This project, managed by Terrain NRM, has numerous partners including James Cook University, Hinchinbrook Shire and Tablelands Regional Councils, Department of Environment and Resource Management, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Sugar Research and Development Corporation and involves stakeholders from forestry , mixed cropping, grazing, sugar industries and NRM groups. The program kicked off earlier this year and will run until at least 2014.

The project is unique because it is been initiated by industry and community groups (including Councils) where-by they wish to understand their own impacts on water quality and address issues as they arise. The project will assess sediment, nutrient and pesticide loads for agriculture, urban and natural systems within the Herbert River Catchment area.

Image: Primary school students from the Hinchinbrook district learning how to sample and identify Macro-invertebrates at Tyto wetlands in order to assess WQ as part of their training for assessment of waterway health. Year 6 & 7 students from 11 schools in the district participated in assessing 'condition' in a creek near their respective school and presented the findings to NRM managers at the Hinchinbrook NRM Forum November, 2011

 The main objective of the HWQMP is to identify various sources of pollutants within the catchment and pro-actively address issues as they arise by promoting landscape practice change or rehabilitation activities as required. There will be specific emphasis on Management Practice Change & their effects in addressing water quality impacts. School students have contributed to the HWQMP by collecting data on macro invertebrate populations and riparian condition, while the professional researchers on the project will be focusing on the sampling and analysis of sediment, nutrient and pesticide loads across the Herbert Catchment.

Students were challenged to consider their impact on the natural environment and in particular the Herbert River Catchment. Students collected both abiotic & biotic samples to analyse the health of a waterway close to their school and presented this data to their school, local stakeholders and wider scientific community for further investigation. This has been a wonderful opportunity for students to work as 'real-life field scientists' and has influenced their views on the importance of water quality, water catchments, sustainability and the Great Barrier Reef.

Teachers in each school were given all resources needed to run the project, including a unit plan built around the proven 5Es investigative approach (engage, explore, explain, elaborate, evaluate). Both teachers and students were trained in the use of technical scientific equipment at the Tyto Wetlands. Students then conducted a comparative study of water quality at two locations - the Tyto Wetlands and a waterway close to each school, linking as closely as possible with Terrain-identified sites. Students also had the opportunity throughout Terms 3 and 4, 2011 to share data and findings with their peers from other schools and access support from teachers and experts via online web conferencing sessions.

The schools project proved so successful that it will be offered to schools in other river catchments next year.

Media Release - Education Queensland - 9 Dec 2011