Banksia Grove students learning from bush

Year 8 and 9 students from the Banksia Grove high school recently took a science class in the bushland with ECU’s School of Natural Sciences.

The students learnt the importance of setting up sample quadrants as they assessed each species in the study areas.

The budding scientists took samples for a herbarium collection of pressed plants.

The activity would have been of high interest to the naturalist after whom their school was named. Joseph Banks was a famous botanist in the 18th and 19th centuries who advised such luminaries as King George III and Captain James Cook.

Year 8 students Josh Camille, Aiden Baldock and Charles Williams enjoyed the experience of working outside the classroom. The three were satisfied to have found some species which the university students had missed.

ECU School of Natural Sciences lecturer Kristina Lemson said it was important for tertiary students to share their knowledge.