Year 12 students from Whitsunday Anglican School (WAS) visited Central Queensland University (CQU) Mackay this week, to get a taste for what their local university has to offer.

Following a welcome presentation, the cohort of 72 students was split into two groups for the remainder of the visit, which included tours of the library, the Cook Lecture Theatre, ISL rooms, tutorial rooms, computer labs and refectory.

Highlights of the visit were the biology workshop with Dr Anthony Wheeler and the tour of the Conservatorium Theatre, where students with musical ability had the opportunity to play the Stuart piano.

During the 45-minute biology workshop, Dr Wheeler explained the detailed workings of the heart and lungs and demonstrated that a ‘brain dead’ cane toad still has heart function and the ability to move. Needless to say, the graphic nature of this workshop was a little too much for several students, who were free to wait outside. However, the majority of students enjoyed participating in the session.

Following a barbecue lunch in the courtyard, the students attended a faculty presentation – question and answer session, during which lecturers from each faculty spoke briefly about their courses and the students had the opportunity to ask questions.

Year 12 is an important year for all students. We hope that tours such as this will help students make wise decisions about their tertiary studies later this year.

Photo caption: Year 12 students were fascinated during a biology workshop with Dr Anthony Wheeler at CQU Mackay.

Photo caption: A barbecue lunch in the CQU Mackay courtyard followed a busy morning touring the campus.