Perth Hills provides scientific delights for students

In Week 3, the Year 11 ATAR Biology students travelled to the Perth Hills Discovery Centre (situated in Beelu National Park), where they braved the rain to experience some authentic field biology. 

This unique excursion allowed students to gain hands-on experience in Terrestrial Field Biology.  Students explored a range of techniques biologists use to collect data on our plant and animal communities. For plants, students learned how to identify common shrub and tree species & completed detailed mapping of quadrats.  They also undertook a range of measurements including canopy cover, soil organic content, leaf litter depth and vegetation cover.

With animals, monitoring techniques include trapping, cameras and other non-invasive techniques - all practiced using some very authentic (and super cute!) stuffed native animals.  An animal encounter with live mammals would also normally be included, however this year, the students were treated to a surprise encounter with a number of native reptile species. 

Here are some quotes from the Biologists, summing up a few highlights of the day:

My comment on the excursion to Perth hills was nothing but the real adventure that we were lucky enough to experience that during our school life. The rain was a blessing in disguise to create the enjoyable atmosphere on the trip. The most enjoyable was the reptile viewing. This experience was exhilarating and i would do anything to experience that time all over again - Kuenzang

Our field trip to the Perth Hills Discovery Centre was a great experience and I loved learning about native plant species, being able to hold a snake, and learning about safe animal capture methods used for research and protection purposes that wouldn't harm them.  - Lily

It was in fact raining very hard, luckily I brought 2 ponchos. - Jenna

My socks got soggy, my shoes got soggy, and my page got soggy, but nevertheless a fun time.  - Meg

It was an incredible day with our little group, and personally I think the weather was perfect! Definitely a highlight of the school year for me. - Eva

A very cute day, with each of our very cute raincoats. Not very cute weather though.  - Jazmyn

I loved when my booklet got so wet from the rain that it started to melt together while I was trying to write in it and my data was spreading from page to page. - Hope, Lily, Emily

Snakes are my absolute favourite animals, AND I FINALLY GOT TO HOLD ONE FOR THE FIRST TIME. IT WAS SO PRETTY AND SOFT, I WAS SO HAPPY!!!!!!!!! - Hope 

The Snotty Gobble Tree was the best tree there just because of the name - Andrew

Dear Perth Hills Discovery Centre, where can we buy a weighted stuffed bilby?  It was fun to trap the bilby, and it was surprising easy it didn't even move!!! - Ethan

A resplendent ecosystem. -Om

Plotting the quadrats felt nice. - Ruhan

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