PROJECT REPORT

28 June 2006

Christine StoreyVocational Education Learning &

Development OfficerOffice of Post-Compulsory Education &

Training

CONTENTS

• Introduction to Science & Wool• Program planning• Program delivery• Evaluation• Recommendations

“Well-organised program that included a variety of hands-on activities and passionate guest

speakers.”

INTRODUCTION

• 1.5 day PD for science teachers & career planners

• Promote science underpinning wool industry

• Delivered on 1-2 June to 8 participants“Portray Tasmania’s wool industry

as dynamic, highly specialised and exciting career choice.”

PLANNING

• Outcomes– Increase knowledge of science underpinning

wool industry– Provide practical information for use in

schools

• Outputs– Program developed and delivered to 10

people– Teacher Resource Kit

developed

DELIVERY - PARASITES

• Sheep parasite session– Mt Pleasant Animal Health Laboratories– Practical session preparing and counting

sheep faecal egg samples.

“The highlight was counting faecal

eggs from a slide I prepared myself.”

DELIVERY - FIBRE

• Wool Fibre Testing– Industry professional with portable fibre

measurement machine (OFTA).– Importance of fibre diameter, strength,

length and sheep breed

“The wool samples will be useful

for microscope work.”

DELIVERY - PASTURE

• Pasture Species– The importance of pasture to wool industry– Pasture development and breeding– Travel and career opportunities

“The passion of each presenter and the enjoyment from their

work.”

DELIVERY – EVENING FUNCTION• Casual drinks and finger food• Industry representative spoke on global

wool market and future challenges – Teko Socks

• Teko socks – US company sources wool from single Tasmanian merino grower

“Tasmania is known for the best Merino wool available… after much research Teko found Downie-Dungrove

Merino wool.” (www.teckosocks.com)

DELIVERY – E-TAGS

• Electronic sheep ear tags at Cressy Research Station

• Tags contain individual’s data • Scanning, weighing and condition

scoring sheep

“Data-logging most interesting, especially fractiousness of sheep from number of times it struggles

on scales.”

DELIVERY – CAMPBELL TOWN

• Campbell Town Show – premier wool event

• Discussed sheep and fleece characteristics

• Chat with industry leader on big picture view, China and vertical integration

“Opportunity to mix with leading Tasmanian wool growers and

businesses and experience their passion.”

EVALUATION

• Successful delivery of outcomes and outputs

• Knowledge of wool industry science - “It vastly increased my knowledge, appreciation and

understanding of wool industry.”

• Resource Kit“The general information in the

information is an excellent resource with the potential to produce a tidy

unit of work.”