Background
The main purpose of the Rotary School is to enable students who live in and around the Murray-Darling Basin to experience activities that are inherent in the fields of freshwater research, conservation and environment. The School has attracted students from secondary schools in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT. Approximately 380 students have participated in the School since 1996.
Who is eligible?
Year 11 students
When is it on?
Easter each year. In 2008, the school will be run from the 14th to the 19th of April.
Where is it held?
MDFRC Wodonga and Wonga Wetlands with students staying at the Scots School Albury
How does it work?
The students work in teams for five days. One of the aims of the School is to introduce students to the process of scientific investigation and the role that research plays in living in a sustainable environment. By combining problem solving activities with intensive support and advice from staff from the three institutions, the students gain a realistic and fun introduction to freshwater ecology, conservation and the environment.
Students, working with staff and mentors will undergo field trips, lectures and demonstrations at a number of locations. Participants will work at the outdoor research site of the MDFRC, at Wonga Wetlands, near the River Murray, which is operated by the City of Albury, as well as visiting the Norske Skog paper mill which utilises up to 55% recycled fibre and recycles around 160,000 tonnes of old newspapers and magazines each year.
The concluding highlight of the five-day School is the presentation of their findings by each group to a meeting of scientists and Rotarians, further enhancing the students’ communication and teamwork skills. The participants also complete the School with a greater understanding of the role of scientists, their methods and the place of scientific research in Australian society.
A flyer for the 2008 Rotary School can be downloaded as a PDF (<1MB)
How to nominate for the program in 2008
In December 2007, the Rotary Club of Albury circulated details of the 2008 Freshwater School to all Secondary Schools in the Murray-Darling Basin. In late January 2008, schools may nominate year 11 students through their local Rotary Club who will confirm this nomination and arrange sponsorship. The forms are forwarded via fax to the Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre or posted to the Rotary Club of Albury where the acceptance process (which may or may not involve an interview) takes place. The successful participants will be informed by phone and letter approximately three weeks before the commencement of the School.
Contact
Sylvia Zukowski on 02 60582300 or info@mdfrc.org.au
2008 Rotary-MDFRC Freshwater School flyer (806 KB)
2008 Rotary-MDFRC Freshwater School application form (44 KB)
