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Mathematics & Science News

QUEENSLAND MINERALS AND ENERGY ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIP

Pioneer is lucky enough to be the only school in the district to be a part of the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy. As a result of this, many Pioneer students have the opportunity to learn more and receive awards for their hard work. One such student is Louise Schoneveld. As a result of her academic ability in the area of Earth Science, the activities she participates in and the time she gives up, she was fortunate enough to win one of three academic scholarships to the value of $2500. Of this money, $1000 is to be used to further her education and the other $1500 is given in cash. Well done Louise!

EARTH SCIENCE FIELD TRIP

On 6 May at 7.30 am, 32 senior Earth Science students from Pioneer SHS and one from Moranbah SHS went to Charters Towers to gain a first-hand appreciation of the changes in gold mining methods over the past century.

Our first stop, however, was Ashworth’s “Rock and Mineral” display at Home Hill – an excellent collection of beautiful and rare specimens from around the world. Some students took the opportunity to add to their own collections by purchasing from the extensive range available.

 Next they arrived in Charters Towers and were soon finding out the history and importance of the town’s stock exchange and in the Assay Mining Museum were able to see the crude tools used to mine gold from the host rock. Later at the Venus Gold Battery, the tour guide explained in detail the processes used to remove the gold from the ore – the students were relieved they didn’t have to work in the incredibly noisy, dusty and poisonous conditions. No-one was surprised to hear the average age of death was only 27.

The students rested at Virginia Park Brahman Stud Farm, a quiet retreat near Mingela, then headed out the next day to Citigold Warrior mine and their processing plant. The contrast was blindingly obvious – safe and environmentally-responsible mining practices at all stages of the gold production.

Half a day was spent fossicking and completing field studies at Big Bend amongst the Devonian fossil reef. One lucky student found a brachiopod which was identified by retired Professor Bob Henderson at JCU the following day. We were really fortunate to have Dr Mike Rubenach and Dr Haidi Beard from JCU to help us out in the field.

JCU Earth and Environmental Sciences department provided the students with entertaining and informative sessions about a wide variety of topics including careers, palaeontology and GIS programmes and generously gave each student a small mineral as a keepsake. Lunch was superb at John Flynn College and then it was back home to Mackay full of new enthusiasm and passion for “rock science”.

Janet Schwabe

Senior Earth Science Teacher

STUDY HALL

MARINE STUDIES RED CLAW RESEARCH PROJECT

At present, Year 12 Marine Studies students are working on a Redclaw Research Project, doing their own research assignment on changing variables to see the affects on the growth rate of Redclaw (freshwater crayfish).  The types of variables tested could be food type, temperature, salinity, amount of shelter, amount of light etc.  Students will be conducting regular tests on the water quality, and where necessary carrying out water changes.