YEAR 10 COASTAL GEOGRAPHY
Students Get Good Oil Despite Bad Weather
When sunny, 34-degree days just won't do.
When the Term 1 Coastal Geography field trip, snorkelling with dolphins and seals was postponed due to strong easterly winds, students were initially very disappointed. However, it soon became obvious that Sea All Dolphin Swims offer more than just post card perfect pictures and ocean adventure holiday stories. Students were warmly welcomed to take part in a special plastics workshop at the Sea All Dolphin and Seal Swims shop at the harbour in Queenscliff and were eager to learn about the future of sustainable plastics, something to write home about.
The workshop, put on by Sea All with less than two hours' notice, focused on the potential of creating plastics from renewable energy sources and gave students hands-on experience with new technology and innovative materials. The session highlighted the environmental challenges posed by traditional plastics and explored how bio-based alternatives could shape a cleaner future.
“The weather may not have been in our favour, but that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the students,” said workshop facilitator, Emma. “They were eager to learn how plastics can be produced using recycled bottle tops instead of the outdated fossil fuel-based plastics”.
During the workshop, students discovered the impact of plastic pollution on marine life, with a special focus on how waste affects local dolphin and seal populations. They also explored cutting-edge developments in bioplastics and participated in interactive Virtual Reality tours of the dolphin and seals experience.
A highlight of the event was 'coming home with our own personal recycled plastic pens’, said current Year 10 Oberon student, Rowan.
“This was an eye-opening experience,” said another student. “I never realised that plastic could be made in a way that doesn’t harm the planet. It’s exciting to see how we can recycle the lids as well as all the plastics that go into the regular recycling bins or the recycling at Woolworths and Coles.” (One of the Year 10 students from the Geography Class).
Despite the poor weather, the workshop successfully engaged students in meaningful discussions about sustainability, leaving them with new knowledge and a renewed sense of responsibility towards the environment. Once back at school, the geography students were assessed on their fieldwork report, part of the Semester 1 curriculum for Year 10.
(Year 10 student using recycled pen back at school)
The event organised via the Humanities department at Oberon is part of an ongoing initiative to educate young Australians about marine conservation in Port Phillip Bay and sustainable solutions for the future. Oberon High School hopes the workshop will inspire the next generation to continue exploring innovative ways to protect the environment.
By Rowan Collard and Benjamin Cross