Maria Island goes interactive

36 High School students, 6 College students, 4 teachers, 1 island and 1 App…

… Oh, and a chance to win a flight over Antarctica!

Maria Island National Park was the outdoor classroom for high school students from the
Bookend Trust’s Skullbone program this year.

Over six weeks, 36 high school students (from Ogilvie, Jordan River, Scottsdale and
Smithton), 6 Rosny College media students, 4 teachers, and Bookend’s Jen Kreusser and
Andrew Hughes went to the tops of the mountains, the bottom of valleys, and faced harsh
weather with the task of building a story of the natural history (plant, animal, human and
rock) of Maria Island National Park.

This unique collaboration has produced a visitor’s guide mobile App. The App, called My
My Maria, presents natural history topics through video, text and photos that the students
researched and presented.

This quirky guide is aimed at the 12 000+ visitors to the island each year and also the
armchair tourists who will now have the opportunity to learn about topics including some
murderous convict history and the fascinating Dragon Richea from the slopes of Mt
Maria. Each of the 35 topics were filmed in challenging conditions as the four school
groups undertook their five day expeditions during September and October this year.
The free App is due to be released in time for Christmas.

The following info will appear in the Apple App store:

“This is a fun natural history guide to one of Tasmania’s most loved national parks,
Maria Island.

It’s the perfect companion for adventure seekers who are visiting the island, but is
equally awesome if you just want an armchair tour.

There are four categories: PLANTS, ANIMALS, HISTORY and ROCKS, with topics
under each category presented by Tasmanian high school students. These students
researched and filmed their topics on location at Maria Island to give you an authentic
experience.

Download the FREE app for film clips, photos and written descriptions to learn more about topics ranging from the murderous convict history to the Dragon Richea on Mt Maria.
Built by students for the world to enjoy.”

This project was made possible with the support of the Bookend Trust, the Tasmanian Department of Education, participating schools, the Pennicott Foundation, the Parks & Wildlife Service, and supporting businesses and individuals.

The App will be demonstrated as part of the Bookend Trust’s FREE annual Public Presentation Night, held at the Stanley Burbury Theatre at UTAS Sandy Bay at 7pm on Thursday (5 December).

As part of the night, school students will also be able to find out how they can win a flight over Antarctica or a Southern Ocean wilderness cruise. Other highlights will include presentations on other Bookend projects, including the Tasmania-Thailand student exchange, the Volcano Land expedition in Papua New Guinea, and much more!

Background:

More information on the Bookend Trust
http://www.bookendtrust.com/whatdoesbookenddo (overview)

and:
http://www.bookendtrust.com/newsletter-nov-2013 (latest update)

Founded by private individuals sacrificing their own income, the Bookend Trust works in partnership with the State Government, schools and the Pennicott Foundation to deliver positive environmental education projects for students and the community.

The ends of the Earth,
the start of careers
PO Box 310, Sandy Bay, Tas 7006
Australia.

Bookend Awards

• 2013 Awards Australia – Tasmanian Community Achievement Award: Environment
• 2013 Best of the Under the Sea Film Festival Award – Plastic Shoreline
• 2013 The Under the Sea Film Festival Audience Favourite Award – Plastic Shoreline
• 2013 Tasmanian Australian of the Year – Bookend’s Andrew Hughes
• 2012 Banksia Award: GPT Group Community Grant for creating lasting and positive community impact
• 2012 Australian Geographic Society’s Conservationist of the Year
• 2012 United Nations Association of Australia World Environment Day Award for Community Outreach
• 2012 UTAS Vice Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Community Engagement
• 2012 Breath of Fresh Air (BOFA) Film Festival inaugural “Devil” Award for Innovation
• 2012 Medibank Active Tasmania Community Award
• 2012 Bryce Courtenay/Penguin Australia Power of One Australian Hero Award
• 2010 Tasmanian EPA Award for Environmental Excellence in Education
• 2009 Australian Geographic Society Spirit of Adventure Award
• 2008 Pride of Australia Medal
Dr Niall Doran (Director – Bookend Trust) www.bookendtrust.com