CSIRO goes back to school to learn about the future

“It is important for our research to capture the whole community’s ideas and aspirations for the future,” Dr Bohnet says.  “This includes adults from the different industry sectors and community groups as well as those who will be adults in 2025.”

Five local state schools, Tully, Feluga, Murray Upper, Mission Beach and Cardwell, took the project idea into the classroom. They researched the subject, invited local experts to talk about relevant topics such as sustainable farming and subsequently produced a range of artworks reflecting their visions for the future of the Shire.

For example, students from the Murray Upper School built a three-dimensional model of their valley while Tully students painted what they would like Tully and surrounding areas to look like in 2025. These works were displayed earlier this year at the Tully Show.

The ideas presented by the students stimulated much classroom discussion.

“Mission Beach students suggested bike paths throughout the Shire, while Feluga students were interested in planting more trees along creeks in collaboration with the local council,” Dr Bohnet says. “Similar to the ideas expressed at Tully and Murray Upper, Cardwell students, focused on coastal mangrove protection, the future growth of their town and the protection of native wildlife.

“This subsequently stimulated discussion about how compatible their ideas are and what common priorities they have – an important process in working towards a shared vision for a sustainable future of the Shire.”

Using the combined knowledge gathered from more than 50 interviews, three workshops, and the students’ artwork, the project team will now develop three future visions for the Cardwell Shire as a basis for further community discussion.

An initiative of the CSIRO Water for a Healthy Country National Flagship, the project is locally supported by the Cardwell Shire Floodplain Program – a partnership between government, industry, community groups, research providers and the regional Natural Resource Management board.

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