We're inviting school groups to join other Year 11 biology school groups to join us and complete mandatory practicals in Unit 3 of senior biology. You'll also practice data analysis and scientific report writing for Internal Assessment 2.

The session will be delivered by Dr Gurion Ang and current undergraduate biology students.

What you'll learn:

High school students will gain hands-on experience in:

  • calculating species diversity
  • classifying an ecosystem based on vegetation structure
  • ecological surveying techniques
  • writing effective research questions
  • basic data processing and analysis.

Watch our Youtube video (duration 1:39) to find out more about Experience Ecology.

Session dates

  • Thursday 24 October – fully booked
  • Monday 28 October – fully booked
  • Tuesday 29 October – fully booked
  • Wednesday 30 October – fully booked
  • Thursday 31 October (Experience Ecology Halloween Special) – fully booked
  • Friday 1 November – fully booked
  • Monday 4 November – fully booked
  • Tuesday 5 November – fully booked
  • Wednesday 6 November – fully booked
  • Monday 18 November – fully booked
  • Tuesday 19 November – fully booked

Registrations

Please contact Mr Sam Becker at sam.becker@uq.edu.au with your school name, number of classes attending (and number of students in each class) as well as full name and contact details of accompanying teachers.

Our program

Please note: We'll conduct our workshops in any order. (You may have Workshop A followed by Workshop B or vice versa).

9:20amSchool groups arrive
9:30am
Workshop A: Skills in field ecology

Current UQ ecology and zoology students will conduct activities based on the 3 mandatory practicals in Unit 3 of the new senior biology syllabus. This includes:

  • calculating species diversity using the Simpson’s Diversity Index (and the implications of the data)

  • classifying an ecosystem using Specht’s vegetation classification system

  • an appraisal of surveying techniques in 2 ecosystems spatial variants.

11:15amPicnic lunch. We ask that you bring your own food and drink. It's a busy time on-campus and you may not have enough time to buy your lunch.
12pm
Workshop B: Analyse and interpret ecological data

We will use an authentic sample data set and show best practice in the processing and analysis of ecological data. Students should bring their laptop and schools will be provided the sample data set to download prior to your visit. Microsoft Excel is required.

1:50pmDepart

Cost

This event is free. Transport to and from our St Lucia campus is at your school's expense.

We offer bespoke, fee-for-service IA2 data collection opportunities on campus typically held during Term 4 of Year 11 or Term 1 of Year 12. Contact Dr Gurion Ang at gurion.ang@uq.edu.au for more information.

Other upcoming sessions