Lake yields study secrets

About 100 Year 9 students observed its local fauna and flora and tested pollution by sampling the water’s PH levels.

Head of society and environment Craig Phillis said the students also investigated strategies, such as the ‘no feeding the birds’ rule, that the Town of Cambridge put in place to protect and preserve the wetland.

‘The excursion was important in helping develop students’ social consciousness in a practical hands-on way,’ Mr Phillis said. ‘By learning the strategies the council have put into place to protect and preserve Lake Monger ” such as not walking your dog without a leash, and seeing for themselves how and why pollution affects this delicate ecosystem ” students gained knowledge on how they could live in a sustainable way and reduce their impact on the environment.’

He said it gave the students an opportunity to gain a micro understanding of an ecosystem.

‘As well as observing and recording information on Lake Monger, students were also required to do a field sketch of the area, taking into account the cultural and physical environment,’ Mr Phillis said.

He said their study also included looking at the excess of nutrients in the water body that caused algae to bloom.