Oct2010 WEED IDENTIFICATION
Students call a weed “a weed” with new online detective tool
Students can now identify some of Queensland’s most dangerous weeds with the click of a button and a look through a virtual magnifying glass.
Weed Detectives, an initiative of Biosecurity Queensland, is a new, interactive online activity aimed at middle to upper primary and secondary school students.
Biosecurity Queensland senior biosecurity officer Petra Skoien said by using the virtual magnifying glass, students could find and identify up to 10 invasive weeds.
“The online activity has been developed to introduce students to a range of weeds in different regions around Queensland,” she said.
“The 10 weeds, including rubber vine, lantana and parthenium, are among some of the worst weeds in Queensland, so it’s important that students learn about their impact on the environment and agriculture from an early age.
If children can become familiar with what these weeds look like and the damage they cause, then we are helping to build a generation of ‘weed literate’ adults.
Weed Detectives also links the learner to weed fact sheets and loads of extensive information about these weeds on the Biosecurity Queensland website.”
Dr Skoien said Weed Detectives used computer-based interactive technology to engage students.
“Keeping in step with contemporary educational tools is important. Increasingly, computer-based interactive technologies are being used for learning in the classroom,” she said.
Children love them and it makes learning fun.
Weed Detectives can also be used on an interactive whiteboard, which is conducive to classroom learning.”
Dr Skoien said while developed for school-aged children, Weed Detectives was a suitable resource for all who were environmentally conscious.
“The activity is a good starting point for anyone who wants to familiarise themselves with some of Queensland’s worst weeds,” she said.
From here, comprehensive information on all of Queensland’s declared weeds is just a mouse-click away.”
Weed Detectives was launched just before Weedbuster Week (September 6-12), so these groups and community members will have been well informed of the weeds to be on the lookout for.
Weedbuster Week was all about helping tackle the serious problem of weeds in our communities and it provided a great opportunity to practice weed prevention and early detection.
The Weed Detectives online activity page can be found via the Biosecurity Queensland website at www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au then click on:
Weeds, pest animals & ants;
Educational resources & careers;
Educational resources;
Weeds (Weedbusters and Weed Warriors)
For more information on declared weeds in Queensland, or to report a suspect weed, contact Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.
Biosecurity Queensland senior biosecurity officer Petra Skoien said by using the virtual magnifying glass, students could find and identify up to 10 invasive weeds.
“The online activity has been developed to introduce students to a range of weeds in different regions around Queensland,” she said.
“The 10 weeds, including rubber vine, lantana and parthenium, are among some of the worst weeds in Queensland, so it’s important that students learn about their impact on the environment and agriculture from an early age.
If children can become familiar with what these weeds look like and the damage they cause, then we are helping to build a generation of ‘weed literate’ adults.
Weed Detectives also links the learner to weed fact sheets and loads of extensive information about these weeds on the Biosecurity Queensland website.”
Dr Skoien said Weed Detectives used computer-based interactive technology to engage students.
“Keeping in step with contemporary educational tools is important. Increasingly, computer-based interactive technologies are being used for learning in the classroom,” she said.
Children love them and it makes learning fun.
Weed Detectives can also be used on an interactive whiteboard, which is conducive to classroom learning.”
Dr Skoien said while developed for school-aged children, Weed Detectives was a suitable resource for all who were environmentally conscious.
“The activity is a good starting point for anyone who wants to familiarise themselves with some of Queensland’s worst weeds,” she said.
From here, comprehensive information on all of Queensland’s declared weeds is just a mouse-click away.”
Weed Detectives was launched just before Weedbuster Week (September 6-12), so these groups and community members will have been well informed of the weeds to be on the lookout for.
Weedbuster Week was all about helping tackle the serious problem of weeds in our communities and it provided a great opportunity to practice weed prevention and early detection.
The Weed Detectives online activity page can be found via the Biosecurity Queensland website at www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au then click on:
Weeds, pest animals & ants;
Educational resources & careers;
Educational resources;
Weeds (Weedbusters and Weed Warriors)
For more information on declared weeds in Queensland, or to report a suspect weed, contact Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.
