2002 School Magazine

reef q u est stud nt perspectives

Reef Quest

From May 27 to May 31,8 Hirschfeld and 8 Gibson embarked on a cross-curricular week of activities that focussed on the future use of Heron Island. Classes were suspended for a week to allow the students to work on an Integrated program without the normal constraints of the timetable

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Their teachers collaborated to develop the following scenario

five interest groups wish to lease Heron island. it 1:5 presently owned by on ageing rock star who runs a tourist resort on the island. The Queensland and Federal Government must by low protect the reef Therefore any interest group must ensure that the environment 115 protected and that any "damage" or 'thonges" to the environment will be reversed and restored to the orighol concht!bn of the island Ten groups of five students itwo groups per topici representing an eco-tourist resort, an oil mining rig, a school outdoor education centre, a national park and an Aboriginal cultural centre then researched the issues relating to the case from their varying perspectives To enrich the week a number of guest speakers were invited to address the girls. They included Jason MC Roberts from Tourism QLD, wildlife ranger Darren Phillips, Jackie Kiawa from the Outdoor Education Faculty at Griffith University, Jane Hendricks an Aboriginal Elder and Chair of Reconciliation Council of Queensland and architect Tim Guymer During the week students experienced environmental meditations toresented by Mr Dale, Mrs Bell. Mrs I Colwill and Miss Williamsj, researched, completed worksheets. responded to poetry, created undersea creatures, argued cases and developed web pages

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On Friday afternoon the students entered a magical world of undersea fantasy as the time approached for the concluding forum. Each group had developed multimedia presentations that answered the question: Who should be allowed to lease the island and why? Although each group had their own unique style of presentation, all managed to provide an entertaining and effective case for their proposed use of the island The convincing case presented by one of the oil mining company groups proved them to be the successful interest group even though theirs was a difficult case to justify

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