Promoting Leadership Through EMAP

Nicholas Higgins (Year 7) has always had an interest in scientific concepts and processes and earlier this year at Kaponga Primary School, his flair came to the fore.  He independently took charge of recording the GLOBE atmosphere measurements for the whole term while the teacher in charge was on leave.

Nicholas gathered the results then, on his own initiative, showed two other younger children each week how to take the readings.  He has now managed to train thirty students on how to take measurements and to record the data into the online database.  When Nicholas first became involved in GLOBE he had no idea how to read a thermometer, and now he is talking about consistency of results, what pH means and the need for accuracy.

Nicholas volunteered to take measurements and said, "it was a great learning experience".  He regularly puts the results into the school newsletter.  He has been actively interested in environmental monitoring ever since Kaponga Primary started taking measurements two years ago and participated in a GLOBE satellite match-up at Bushy Park Education Centre.  Nicholas also helps conduct the measurements on their local stream.

Kaponga Primary has been lucky to have Nicholas's dedication as they were unsure if they could continue taking measurements during the teacher's absence.  Nicholas is an environmental leader in his school and has been awarded an EMAP Certificate of Achievement.  When we asked him why he likes being involved in environmental monitoring, he said "because it's fun!"