PROJECT REPORT 28 June 2006 Christine Storey Vocational Education Learning & Development Officer Office 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.” (

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.”