Four Rockhampton-based scientists from CQUniversity contributed to this year's Science Week activities at North Rockhampton High School.

Staff made presentations on various aspects of revegetation and biodiversity.

Wayne Houston (Centre for Environmental Management) outlined biodiversity in Central Queensland, while Professor Kerry Walsh spoke about various revegetation projects he had been involved in.

Dr Pramod Shrestha (Centre for Plant and Water Science) spoke on the role of re-establishing a healthy soil ecosystem and Dr Bob Newby spoke on the role of insects as indicators of sustainable, biodiverse ecosystems.

2010 is the UN International Year for Biodiversity and this has been picked up as the theme for Australia's National Science Week activities.

The North Rockhampton High School activities will culminate in a hands-on revegetation project along Moores Creek, adjacent to Yewdale Park.  The project has the support of numerous community organisations and businesses and the involvement of a number of CQUniversity science graduates.  CQUniversity staff will be providing ongoing technical advice.

CQUniversity made an early start to Science Week with the annual Rockhampton Schools Science Quiz held in July. A total of 12 teams competed.  Associate Professor Debbie Burton presented the prizes to this year's winners (a team from Rockhampton Girls Grammar School) during a Science Week function held last week.