Today agronomists, Danielle O’Keefe and Tess Blake, from Grass Growers helped launch our Hermitage Research Facility’s 2019 Schools Plant Science Competition ”Pest Invaders”. Danielle and Tess had previously met with Year 7 Science teachers, Anne Frazer and Nigel Mottram, to discuss potential experiments, scientific reports, poster topics and research options. The Year 7 students have already collected insects from home to investigate and write up in a scientific report. Tess introduced the poster component of the Invasive Pests topic with a report on Prickly Pear. She demonstrated how the poster could be designed and there was a lively discussion in class about other types of invasive pests like cane toads, pampus grass, rabbits, lucerne flea, carp etc. The third component was described which is a presentation on how invasive pests can impact on International Food Security. The class discussed the ramification of diseases or pests spreading across border control, the importance of declaring goods when travelling overseas, the role the Australian Customs Dept play and the financial impact of diseases like Foot and Mouth or Mad Cow Disease. Danielle and Tess outlined their respective career pathways through TAFE and university and described their role in agribusinesses. Great lessons ladies, thanks. Comments are closed.
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March 2024
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