Marine science matters

After returning from the 2010 International Kids Coastal Conference on the Sunshine Coast last week, the budding scientists shared their knowledge of Bunbury’s Koombana Bay dolphin population with more than 500 teachers and students.

Newton Moore science teacher Athena Hain-Saunders said teachers at the event acted as mentors and students learned from each other.

‘‘The Kids Teaching Kids conference is about students from all over Australian getting together at one place and teaching each other about the environmental projects that are going on in their community,’’ she said.

Year 9 student Mhairi Oslthoorn said the group relished the opportunity to share what they had learned.

‘‘We’ve tried to make it as interactive as possible because it’s younger children that we’re doing it with,’’ she said.

The event aims to increase students’ awareness and knowledge of their unique coastal and marine environments while linking young people to their community and to local experts in their region.

Event creator Arron Wood, who was named Australian Environmentalist of the Year for his environmental education efforts, said the two-day conference was packed with activities and learning opportunities.

‘‘Adults take a back-seat at this event — kids teach each other in much more interesting and creative ways that the usual classroom format, with songs, dance, poems, drama, games, interactive quizzes and crafts,’’ he said.