Posted August 2005 Third big year for Under the Sea online event Pamela Rushby Education Views, Edition 17, 2005
		The Under the Sea online event began in 2003. It was so successful that it's now in its third year. From 29 August to 9 September, Under the Sea will be putting students in touch with marine experts, and raising teachers' awareness of the possibilities in using online communication tools in the classroom. Sarah Brierley, Learning Place Mentor, Wide Bay South District, said that the online event was attracting more schools every year. "Word spreads," Sarah said. "Over 100 registrations have already been organised for this year's event, from both primary and secondary schools, with students and marine experts taking part in online chats and forums." Sarah said that the event gave students the opportunity of communicating directly with people they might never, otherwise, have a chance to meet. "They can get information about the sea and the creatures that live in it straight from the people who are doing the research," she said. "The event is also aimed at teachers, providing them with an event that's easy to participate in, and showing them how they can use the Learning Place in their classrooms."

The Learning Place has set up a special project room where students and teachers can contact guests over the two-week period. Guests for 2005 include experts on whales, dugongs, marine turtles, coral reefs and seagrass meadows.

Dean Miller took these underwater photos, from left Sharks, Barracuda and a Lionfish

Amy Hellrung will be online from Hawaii. Amy has worked on humpback whale research in Hawaii and Hervey Bay, and is now with the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

Steffan Howe's field of expertise is corals and coral reefs. Steffan, currently in Australia, will soon be returning to work in Eritrea, where he's a United Nations Volunteer, working as a Conservation Biologist.

Steffan Howe working in Massawa, Eritrea with a trainee
James Sheppard with crew supporting a dugong which has been satellite tagged

James Sheppard conducted a satellite tracking study of the dugongs in Hervey Bay in 2002-2004, studying the movement behaviours of the mysterious marine mammals. He has also worked on an analysis of seagrass meadows.

Matt Curnock's research projects have included dwarf minke whales, dugongs, marine turtles, and managing a swim-with-whales tourist project on the Great Barrier Reef. He's currently working at James Cook University in Townsville.

Matt Curnock took these underwater photos of a Minke Whale

Schools interested in taking part in any of the chats or forums on the Learning Place can email Sarah at sbrie11@eq.edu.au.

Further reading from Smart Classrooms (sourced from Education Views, Edition 14, 2005) Five minutes with … Sarah Brierley of Hervey Bay State High School.