Harbour Watch conducts
Citizen Science Water Quality projects. For more information contact Harbour Watch.
Harbour Watch designs subject and age specific programs to suit your students and align with the
Australian Curriculum.
The program focuses on abiotic and biotic water quality monitoring of the Gladstone Harbour and surrounding marine and catchment environments.
Abiotic sampling may include:
- temperature
- dissolved oxygen
- pH
- turbidity
- salinity or conductivity
- heavy metal concentrations (aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, copper and manganese)
- nutrient concentrations (nitrates and phosphates).
Biotic sampling may include:
- macroinvertebrates
- plankton
- benthic macro-organisms
- blue-green algae monitoring.
Approach
Harbour Watch employs explicit instruction (I do, you do, debrief) with a strong focus on the 'you do' component of this pedagogy.
Harbour Watch provides opportunities for students to engage in hands-on practical scientific investigations of the local marine and catchment waterways using high quality water testing equipment.
Students are involved with the data analysis and interpretation, complete subject specific assessments at school after excursion or complete subject specific tasks provided by Harbour Watch.
A pre-excursion science session can be conducted by Harbour Watch staff to introduce teachers and students to the key scientific concepts and language necessary for Harbour Watch monitoring.