If you can’t make it to the Great Barrier Reef, then the St. Albert Public Library can bring the Great Barrier Reef to you.
A unique educational event will give young students the chance to experience Australia’s marvelous oceanic wonder through a special videoconferencing program.
“This is kind of a different program for us, something that we have never tried before on videoconferencing,” said the library’s public services manager Heather Dolman.
About a year ago, the library signed onto the RISE Network, a distance education system that helps 100 public libraries from around the province to connect with experts, professionals and colleagues across a number of fields and through a sophisticated videoconference network.
Tuesday’s program on the Great Barrier Reef is an innovative and age-specific educational program that allows students to work towards goals that are outlined in their school’s curriculum.
“They offer a lot of programs on a regular basis through videoconference. We’re committed to six uses of our videoconferencing units with them over the course of the year,” Dolman said.
This one was produced by All Reef Videoconferencing Programs and is supplemented by its Reef Education website found at www.reefed.edu.au.
One of the reasons the library is hosting it is because it fits in nicely with the international travel aspect of its summer reading programs.
“We thought that we would try it and see how it worked,” Dolman said, adding that it’s also a good use of the technology. “Using our videoconferencing equipment is primarily why we went on board with it.”
Introduction to the Great Barrier Reef takes place on Tuesday, July 9 from 7 to 8 p.m. It will be facilitated by a team of qualified educators who will give the participants the chance to get to know more than 5,000 live sea creatures, experience their habitats and behaviours, and appreciate what it takes to maintain a healthy ecosystem.
Call the children’s desk at 780-459-1532 to pre-register. There is a maximum of 20 guests so space is limited. Visit www.sapl.ca for more information.
