Cairns Regional Council supports the HBEEC through partnering with teachers to promote STEM education. Council provides the Centre with resources to monitor water and sediment quality in The Barron river estuary and CRC staff participate in some boating activities teaching students how and why we take water samples. Council staff provide mentoring and resources to participants in the Future Leaders Eco Challenge.
CRC and HBEEC have a 5 year Resource and Performance agreement to fund the delivery of the year 5 Science and Sustainability Enrichment program. Students are mentored in the areas of water quality and water use, waste and recycling, litter, natural resource management and sustainability.
Celebration events are held at the Civic Reception Rooms twice a year and students also have the opportunity to participate at the annual ECOfiesta attended by over 15,000 people in the region.
Student projects enrich the work being done by Council and bring fresh ideas and perspective. Additionally, student projects are able to can obtain a wider reach in the community through publication on the council’s website.