Students Investigate Coastal Ecosystems

In Week 8, the Year 11 ATAR Biology students undertook an excursion to Hillarys Boat Harbour to conduct an authentic field-based Coastal Ecosystem Investigation.  Students measured various water quality parameters and plankton abundance at three sites within the harbour, to evaluate how these parameters might change according to location and water flow dynamics.

The students then spent time back in the laboratory analysing their samples for parameters such as chlorophyll a (a proxy for phytoplankton biomass) and zooplankton abundance, whilst discovering lots of interesting microscopic creatures that live in the harbour waters.  The Biologists are now busy writing up their Investigation Report on the results.

This investigation would not have been possible without the support of Mr James McLaughlin, who volunteered his time and scientific equipment via the CSIRO STEM Professionals in Schools Program.  We also very kindly received a loan of plankton sampling equipment from Ms Zoe Snedden at St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School.  

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