Best Field Trip contest returns, closes soon

AFTER massive interest last year, the University of the Sunshine Coast is offering another chance for senior high school students to join the Best Field Trip in the World.  

Five students in Years 11 or 12 will win a spot alongside world-class scientists on a trip to some of the most stunning and educational places on earth, right here in Queensland.  

The field trip is a four-day adventure in June featuring whale-watching, a trip to the world’s largest sand island, cultural immersion, a premier netball match, joining a rugby league match with a human biomechanics expert, an encounter with robotic dogs, and a chance to join current UniSC students on their outdoor field trip. 

The adventure stretches from Brisbane through the Sunshine Coast and north to the Fraser Coast and K’gari (Fraser Island). 

UniSC Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Helen Bartlett, said the field trip covered three UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, the only place in the world where three sat side-by-side.

“Biospheres are not only ecologically fascinating and beautiful places to conduct study and conservation work, but they are also closely located to places where people live, learn and interact with the landscape,” Professor Bartlett said.

A biosphere reserve is globally recognised as an ‘international site of excellence’ where people live and work sustainably alongside active conservation and sustainable development.

She said that we were fortunate to have access to such a rich network of landscapes, biodiversity, cultural heritage and communities.

UNESCO lists seven types of ecosystem-specific networks globally, and Queensland’s biospheres encompass five – mangroves, marine coastal and island areas, mountains, tropical forest and wetlands.

They stretch 222 kilometres, from the world’s largest sand island K’gari through coastlines and waterways to the subtropical rainforests and mountains of Noosa and the Sunshine Coast.

“What makes this trip even more special is that winners get to visit these places alongside subject matter experts – they're not just watching a football match, they’re going behind the scenes with a sport exercise scientist to dig deeper and learn more,” Professor Bartlett said.

Entrants must submit a 60-second video entry that answers the question: What do you hope to gain from this experience? Entries close Monday 3 June.

The trip will take place Friday 21 to Monday 24 June.