Deception Bay student’s trip of a lifetime

From a visit to the world’s largest sand island to watching major sports matches, Deception Bay State High School student Sophia Sidney has taken the trip of a lifetime with University of the Sunshine Coast.

One of five winners of UniSC’s Best Field Trip in the World competition, Sophia joined scientists at some of the world’s most stunning and educational, places from Brisbane through the Sunshine Coast and north to the Fraser Coast and K’gari (Fraser Island),

“Honestly, it’s amazing. I’ve had the best time,” says Sophia, who is considering university as a pathway to creating a better future for her son, Myles.

“Seeing the uni students doing practical assignments with the support of the scientists on K’gari showed me that university is not just a fairytale.

Amazing adventure

“University is a real-life experience, with real support available.

“I think we would all want to make a change if we are inspired by reality checks like this, instead of social media.”

Sophia says the June trip, which she took with her brother, Johnie, was a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity.

“I’ve been humbled to have had this experience,” she says.

See what they got up to

The four-day field adventure featured a trip to the world’s largest sand island, cultural immersion, a premier netball match, joining a rugby league match with a human biomechanics expert, an encounter with robotic dogs, and a chance to join current UniSC students on their outdoor field studies.

Industry leaders

UniSC Vice-Chancellor and president Professor Helen Bartlett says what made the experience particularly impactful was that winners were accompanied by subject matter experts.

“They're not just watching a football match, they’re going behind the scenes with a sport exercise scientist to dig deeper and learn more,” Professor Bartlett says.

“This is very true to the student ‘field trip’ experience because as part of most degrees offered by UniSC, students complete work-integrated learning alongside leaders in the industry, outside of the classroom.”

Professor Bartlett says the trip covered three neighbouring UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, from the world’s largest sand island K’gari through coastlines and waterways to the subtropical rainforests and mountains of Noosa and the Sunshine Coast.

“Biospheres are not only ecologically fascinating and beautiful places to conduct study and conservation work, but they are also closely located to places where people live, learn and interact with the landscape,” Professor Bartlett says.

“As a university that places enormous focus on research, campus operation and education that aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, we are fortunate to have access to such a rich network of landscapes, biodiversity, cultural heritage and communities,” she says.