NSWTR 2024 HR - Flipbook - Page 8
STEM + X AND
STEM+
SPECIES SURVIVAL
ur Species Survival, Sustainability + X formula
connects the concept of species survival with other
disciplines, interests and goals. Each ‘X’ is a lens
through which we can better understand the
complex challenge of species conservation and how,
regardless of our personal interest or expertise, we
can all play a role in the crucial mission of saving
species from extinction.
Here are the Xs we will be exploring in this
resource:
O
SUSTAINABILITY+FOOD
We rely on countless wild species for our food. How
we eat a昀昀ects the health of these species and their
habitats. See p27 for Stage 1 student activities
where the focus is on food and species sustainability.
SUSTAINABILITY+MATHS & DATA
By crunching numbers, we shed light on the state
of species and habitats, helping us take action
where it’s needed most. See p32 for Stage 2 student
activities where the focus is on data science.
SUSTAINABILITY+CULTURE
By embracing the wisdom of di昀昀erent cultures, especially
First Nations People, we can learn to live in harmony with
nature and champion the diverse lives sharing our
planet. See p38 for Stage 3 student activities where
the focus is on cultural practices.
SUSTAINABILITY+TECH & SOCIETY
From drones locating koalas after bush昀椀res to
tags that track sea life, tech tools are boosting our
conservation e昀昀orts, including in citizen science,
where we all have a collective role to play in species
conservation. See p46 for Stage 4 student activities
where the focus is on environmental technology.
SUSTAINABILITY+BIOLOGY
Through DNA studies, we’re unlocking the mysteries of
Earth’s plants and animals, bolstering our e昀昀orts to protect
them. See p54 for Stage 5 student activities where the focus
is genetics, diversity and selection pressures.
SPECIES SURVIVAL — MORE THAN JUST SUSTAINABILITY
3 SPECIES SUCCESS STORIES
1 SNIFFING OUT PLATYPUS BURROWS
Zoos Victoria is training sni昀昀er dogs to
昀椀nd platypus burrows by their smell,
helping scientists learn more about
these shy animals. This project
uses special tubes to capture the
platypus scent and is a new way
to gather information without
bothering the animals. Even
though the platypus is an iconic
Australian animal, there’s still
a lot we don’t know about them.
(Source)
OFF THE THREATENED
2 DROPPED
SPECIES LIST
A study published in Biological
Conservation in March 2023
found that between 2000 and
2022, 26 Australian species
recovered enough to no longer
be listed as threatened, thanks
to conservation e昀昀orts. This
included the greater bilby,
burrowing bettong, western quoll,
eastern barred bandicoot, sooty
albatross, Bulloo grey grasswren and
Murray cod. (Source/source).
3 ALL’S WELL WITH WHALES
Once hunted to near extinction,
with numbers plummeting to just
over 100 in the sixties, the iconic
humpback whales o昀昀 Australia’s
east coast are a testament to
conservation success. Following
a 1963 ban on whaling, these
majestic giants have rebounded
impressively, reaching an estimated
40,000 by 2023, with their population
growing at 10-11% every year. (Source)
DOWNLOAD ALL OF THE LINKS IN THIS
BOOKLET AT WWW.SCIENCEWEEK.NET.AU/
SCHOOLS/2024-RESOURCE-BOOK-LINKS/
PLATYPUS: TREVOR MCKINNON/UNSPLASH / GREATER BILBY: QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT / HUMPBACK WHALE: THOMAS KELLEY/UNSPLASH
8
