Hastings Secondary College teacher Lloyd Godson today (Monday, May 30) sets sail from Hobart as part of the unique Educator on Board program.
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Mr Godson will join three other teachers from around Australia on the state-of-the-art marine research vessel, RV Investigator.
During the trip, Mr Godson will participate in a range of activities including, assisting scientists with marine research, enhance his STEM content knowledge, run outreach activities including live video broadcasts, and develop curriculum-linked resources to be trialed in his own classroom and shared with other teachers.
"It is an exciting opportunity for me to be a part of," he said.
"This trip gives me access to the latest and greatest in oceanographic research which I can then pass onto my students.
"I will also be passing on what I learn to the students through the expedition's live satellite link-ups.
"But the benefits are not just for the Hastings Secondary College. This is a great opportunity to get these resources in front of other teachers from around Australia."
Mr Godson said he was drawn to the sea from an early age and was always keen to link with these kinds of expeditions.
"It is a great learning experience all round," he added.
Educator on Board gives Australian teachers the opportunity to work at sea alongside scientists doing research on board Australia’s marine research vessel Investigator.
The program aims to support teachers' professional development and inspire students to study STEM, Mr Godson said.
Educator on Board is open to all Australian primary and secondary STEM teachers, and aims to offer opportunities each year for teachers to participate in voyages on Investigator.
- Lloyd Godson
"Educator on Board is open to all Australian primary and secondary STEM teachers, and aims to offer opportunities each year for teachers to participate in voyages on Investigator.
"Teachers share their on board experience with students across Australia through live ship-to-shore video broadcasts, providing a window on the real world application of STEM.
"Teachers will also develop curriculum resources based on the underway science to create a pool of lessons to share with other teachers across Australia."
Mr Godson said the program is supported by the Marine National Facility and CSIRO.
Hastings Secondary College, Westport Campus principal Ian Ross congratulated Mr Godson on his appointment as 'Educator on Board'.
"Lloyd will be part of the team that will be instrumental in writing Marine Study resources for NSW teachers," Mr Ross said.
"Lloyd has an interest and ability in all things science. His out of the box, innovative thinking and inquisitive mind complements the many existing and new STEM initiatives across the college.
"His first-hand experience in scientific research will add to the new hands-on inquiry-based senior syllabuses. He will be able to apply this experience to his teaching of Marine Studies for senior students at Westport Campus in 2019."
The research vessel Investigator is undertaking a charter voyage to carry out a hydrographic (seafloor mapping) survey in Bass Strait for nautical charting purposes.
Such surveys provide much greater detail of the sea floor around Australia and enhance navigation charts for use by all.
Meteorological and oceanographic data will also be collected during the voyage to contribute to current modelling systems. Additionally, all data collected will benefit the management of the Commonwealth Marine Reserve at Hogan Island.
Sediment samples will be collected at some locations. No fish or biological samples will be collected during the voyage.
The charter is being led by Chief Scientist, LCDR Nigel Townsend, for the Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO). The voyage will include two piggyback projects - research into the distribution of sea birds and CSIRO Educator on Board.
The 10-day voyage returns to Hobart on Friday June 8.