Rose Bay Secondary College

Opportunity Achievement Community

Telephone02 9301 0300

Emailrosebay-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Marine science trip for a young aspiring marine biologist

On Monday April 22, Jess flew to Hobart to the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Science facility were she was lucky enough to be included in the XAS101 ‘A practical  introduction to temperate marine biology’. Out of almost 300 applicants only 24 were chosen.

Jess recalls "We spent the first afternoon getting to know the ‘Mainland students’ and solidifying our fish identification skills. Having only memorising the fish species the night before and on the plane we were all trying our best!"

On the second day they woke up at 5:15 am to start packing up gear to travel to Maria Island. The bus was filled with microscopes, quadrates, transects and more. After an hour bus drive and a 45min ferry the group finally arrived at Maria Island; trollies were loaded with scientific gear as the group dashed to their rooms to get ready for snorkelling. There was expected gale force winds so they completed the snorkelling activities early. The water was very cold, only 15 degrees celsius. They were all suited up with 7mm wetsuits, hoods and booties, they practiced running surveys along transects and most importantly writing on waterproof paper. 

Once the team finished snorkelling at Darlington Jetty, they had lunch. They were happy for Sally Stutsel from Wild Mob for feeding 24 hungry teenagers. After a bit of setting up in the Chapel (where lectures and sampling was held) they went for a hike to fossil cliffs. The lectures at night went until 10pm, despite the freezing cold nights within the Chapel the lectures were amazing. "It's incredible to hear from experienced researchers including Dr. Scott Ling, Dr. Mary-Anne Lea and Dr Simon Reeves, the impacts of climate change is incredibly vast and complex so it was again amazing to hear their research within the lectures" said Jess. 

"During our 3rd and 4th day on Maria Island we collected zooplankton samples using the NIPR-1 net and infauna sampling using the Van Veen grab as well as conducted a formal fish survey (snorkelling) . As the gale force predictions on Maria Island looms we got up bright and early to collect data on the intertidal zones of Fossil Cliffs whilst the other group collected data at Painted cliffs. During the final two days we process our data using microscopes and of course excel painstakingly counting and identifying organisms under the microscopes. Once all data was finalised we were split into subgroups for the presentation which we gave at the university in front of the researchers/tutors as well as parents."

"I’ve learnt a lot during this trip, including the ability interpret biological and environmental data, communication and team work and working within the field. The students whom were picked on for this trip were exceptionally talented, and it was great working with other students from NSW, WA and TAS. We didn't always collect samples/data during ideal conditions but we did it for the data, we got to experience real conditions that some scientists have to work in and the immense work that goes into scientific research. Once the trip is over we are all left with a field diary to turn in and a 1000 word essay that is due in a couple of weeks, our marks at the end of the trip counts towards a unit of the Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science at UTAS."

 

What an amazing experience Jess.