Prominent member of the scientific community and media personality Karl Kruszelnicki spoke to year 10 students via Skype teleconference at Kurri Kurri High School.
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Dr Karl, as he is known, headlined the science department’s experimental program that invited members of scientific and industrial significance to help students understand climate change.
Other speakers included Dr Greg Wilson of the CSIRO Renewable Energies Team, University of Newcastle lecturer Professor Paul Dastoor who spoke about his work with solar paint, and Orica’s Dr Geoff Brent, Dr Mark Rayson and Anna Nayyar who work with chemical engineering and research.
The school’s head science teacher Steve Krause said, while this format of learning was not entirely new, he believed Kurri high was one of a small number of schools in the area that had used it successfully.
“It’s a different style of learning, where we give the kids a single question: How do we respond to climate change? Then they build up research skills and drive toward a conclusion by speaking with members of the community or industry representatives,” Mr Krause said.
“While most of the research and progress comes from the industry professionals we have speaking in the school [from Orica, the CSIRO and the University of Newcastle], spreading the word is half the battle and that’s the real strength of including a figure like Dr Karl.”
The school’s community liaison officer Heather Sutherland said that Dr Karl’s seminar was hugely successful and had inspired students to ask questions.
“They’re going into their senior years now and they’re making decisions about where to take their careers,” she said.
“In the initial seminars, the kids were hesitant, but now they’re keenly participating and asking questions.”
Stephanie Eades said she was less curious about man’s role in climate change and more interested in how mankind views itself as the agent of climate change.
“I asked Dr Karl why our role in climate change is so controversial.” She said.
“He basically said it that there are financial, media and political motivations that get mixed into the discussion.”
Mara Vogel said she was impressed by the breadth of Dr Karl’s knowledge but also his relatability.
“It was really good, he had so much knowledge and knew so much about everything but he offered us such useful advice.”
“He’s all about green energy, I think it’s good that he has no room for unsustainable methods.”
“It engages the kids more and it shows the real world connections between themselves and climate change... It’s definitely relevant as about 50% of our students have either friends or family in the mining industry in this area.” Mr Krause said.