The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has invited local children to celebrate National Science Week from 15 to 23 August, with a free plant health pack to explore biosecurity in their backyards.
Plant pathologist at NSW DPI, Jordan Bailey said everyone from toddlers to teenagers and adults could also join in digital adventures from home on the Sydney Science Trail.
“In partnership with the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney and Australian Museum, NSW DPI encourages everyone to join the Sydney Science Trail’s free online quest, with interactive games, live-streamed talks, explosive science shows and virtual tours hosted by leading scientists and researchers,” Dr Bailey said.
“NSW DPI has developed its own interactive page where kids and adults can join the Biosecurity Warrior to explore plants, what makes them healthy and nasty biosecurity threats which can affect them,” she said.
“We aim to increase awareness of the importance of biosecurity and show how everyone can play their part in protecting Australia’s plants from exotic pests and diseases.”
Dr Bailey said a free NSW DPI plant health and biosecurity activity pack could be ordered online from Eventbrite.
“The pack includes a magnifying macro lens for smart phones, to explore the micro world in your own backyard, balcony or paddock and take shots of suspicious pests and diseases to send to the NSW DPI Plant Biosecurity Hotline,” she said.
She said that as part of National Science Week, NSW DPI and the Science Hub of Orange, Cowra and Cabonne would introduce kids to real-life biosecurity warriors who worked in plant health sciences through a series of short videos and webinars.
Further information on NSW DPI’s activity pack can be accessed at this PS News link and the Sydney Science Trail can be accessed at this link.
