SCIENTISTS AND TEACHERS ADDING EXCITEMENT TO CHEMISTRY

Scientists from the Queensland Government will showcase practical ways to help the environment when they meet science teachers in Brisbane this week.

A group of 18 secondary school teachers from 14 schools will take part in a special chemistry workshop at Cavendish Road State High School, Holland Park, tomorrow (November 21).

The workshop is part of an innovative Queensland approach to demonstrate in the high school syllabus how chemistry is used in real-world environmental situations.

Minister for Natural Resources and Water Craig Wallace said the scientists had teamed up with the Department of Education, Training and the Arts, the Science Teachers’ Association of Queensland and the Queensland branch of the Australian Society of Soil Science.

The team is developing packages for schools that teach scientific principles with real life examples.

“Chemistry and science can be exciting,” Mr Wallace said.

“Today’s students are tomorrow’s scientists – we need to show them how they can transform the science they are learning at school into a rewarding career option that will benefit the whole community.”

As part of the workshop, scientists from NRW will present a case study from the East Trinity Acid Sulfate Remediation Project, a site adjacent to Cairns Harbour.

Prior to treatment, the East Trinity site released sulfuric acid and heavy metals into the ocean, killing marine life and damaging the local environment.

The researchers will show how to use chemistry to treat acid sulfate soils through studying their chemical properties, sampling the soils and measuring acidity in the field.

Laboratory staff from the Department of Natural Resources and Water’s chemistry centre will demonstrate the basic principles of titration and how this is applied to the analysis of acid sulfate soils.

Mr Wallace said NRW scientists also participated in similar workshops with teachers in Brisbane and Cairns last month and would continue to seek opportunities to support science education in Queensland schools.

Media inquiries: Caroline Kaurila, Craig Wallace’s office, on (07) 3896 3694.