Around 90 Year 11 students from Rockhampton, North Rockhampton and Glenmore state high schools and Heights College recently had the chance to 'Meet the Scientists' by mingling with postgraduate researchers at CQUniversity.

Students learnt how to use the scientific method to research, design and conduct scientifically valid experiments.

L-R are Mairin Monteath and Victory Egwurub (both of Heights College) and Olivia Daniels (PHD student, CQUniversity)

Rockhampton High Science teacher Stephen Ladley said this will help students conduct their own extended experimental investigations "which are now an integral learning experience in all senior science subjects".

Some of the presentations included using agave plants to produce bioethanol, conserving rare plants on mine sites, developing low-cost irrigation methods for use in developing countries, surveying marine debris on beaches, investigating the presence of blue-green algae in drinking water and capturing atmospheric carbon using biochar.

‘Meet the Scientists' is now an annual event that aims to strengthen links between CQUniversity and science students and teachers in local high schools.

It was also an opportunity for students to discover how scientific research is conducted and used to solve a wide variety of current environmental and scientific issues. The event encourages students to consider a career in science.

"Such community engagement events are also important to CQUniversity in strengthening its role in the community," said senior lecturer Dr Bob Newby.