Brian W. Pulling
Brian W. Pulling is a science writer based in Adelaide, South Australia.
Secondary school students have the opportunity to become marine biologists for a week this April in Tasmania, Australia.
Organisers of an expedition run by the University of Tasmania and the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) are inviting students in Years 11 and 12 to join a trip to Maria Island off the east coast of the island state for some hands-on learning.
“They’ll enjoy a once in a lifetime experience on Tasmania’s east coast while also learning how to collect scientific data in the field,” says Scott Ling.
The program runs between April 22 and 28, with five days spent on Maria Island and an additional one at the IMAS Centre in Tasmania’s capital, Hobart.
In addition to first-hand experience, participants will earn credit towards a University of Tasmania marine science degree.
“Students who do the course get to go diving as well as observing marine life along the shoreline and will develop keen skills of observation and an eye for detail,” says Ling.
“Many of the students who’ve done the course enjoyed it so much that they’ve gone on to the IMAS degree program at the University of Tasmania, which is ranked as one of the best places to study marine science globally.”
The course is open to students from all over Australia, and full scholarships are available for four Tasmanian and five interstate students.
More information about the program can be found here.
