A remote microscopy project involving CQU has received a special innovation award at the Annual Learning Technologies Recognition (ALTR) Awards ceremony recently.

The awards were presented during the 2004 Learning Technologies Conference in Mooloolaba.

The remote microscopy project delivers imaging from a remote scanning electron microscope to schools in urban and remote locations.

It is collaboration between researchers at CQU’s Faculty of Education and Creative Arts and the Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis at the University of Queensland.

The principal staff of this project is: John Hunt (CQU Bundaberg lecturer), Dr Kim Sewell (UQ Materials Researcher) and Duncan Waddell (UQ Principal Instrumentation Officer).

This is an educational outreach program encouraging learners in schools to become more interested in science.

The bringing together of learners, scientists and researchers reflects Smart State science policy.

It is costly and impractical to move expensive equipment to school sites and it is equally difficult to bring children to the urban centres where these machines are housed.

Low-cost solutions were sought to enable schools to participate in synchronous learning experiences.

Photos: Images such as fire ants under the microscope are now accessible for viewing by remote schools.