Thebarton Senior College

In May, students undertaking Stage 1 & 2 Earth and Environmental Science (EES) were invited to attend a 4-day intensive camp in Robe and Naracoorte to complete 50% of their Stage 1 assessment or 20% of their Stage 2 assessment.

Departing on the 5th of May, students spent the day exploring SA’s southern coast and coastal towns where we discussed sustainability and sustainable futures and the community focus of science.

1: Glass Beach in Robe littered with tumbled seaglass from the old Robe dump

Continuing our work in exploring sustainability, on May 6th students designed and directed an investigation into Robe’s estuary, where river water flows into the ocean. Students explored how salt water washed back up the river from the ocean, and how the chemistry of the rocks the river flows through influence the chemistry of the water, addressing the question of why South Australia’s water is so hard.

2: Water sample collection at Robe estuary to be processed back at camp

On May 7th we left Robe early to begin the trek to Naracoorte and the UNESCO World Heritage listed cave system. By speaking and interacting with university researchers, students explored the history of climate change and how that history was preserved in the cave walls.

3: Thylacoleo carnifex - the marsupial lion megafauna fossil 20m underground

Students had the opportunity to see how science allows us to look back through time to understand the diets and environments of megafauna, and gain a greater understanding of the timescales which control how rocks form and what histories they contain.

4: Underground amphitheatre and active megafauna dig site

Since visiting these sites and working with these professionals to understand the roles of scientists working to benefit the knowledge of society, students have had access to new language and enhanced in-class relationships

5: Naracoorte Caves, SA's only World Heritage site

Place-based learning is the most powerful tool we have to connect students with their learning and qualify them as they move forward in their learning journey.