We fund environmental education using donations made to our environmental protection fund (EPF) and also through a bequest left to us by Pam Morse.
Pam Morse Bequest Fund
We offer grants for research and education projects relating to managing and conserving urban bushland in Sydney through the Pam Morse Bequest Fund:
- research grants are available to students engaged in the study of any aspect of urban bushland, including flora and fauna studies, biodiversity, and management issues such as chemical pollution, weed invasion, erosion control and control burning
- education grants are available to schools for projects that promote awareness of the value of urban bushland, educate students or the community on how to minimise their impact on urban bushland, or restore a natural habitat
Young Scientist
To encourage and reward research and education on environmental issues, STEP has aligned with Young Scientist and each year we donate a prize of $200 for the best environmental project. The competition is organised by the Science Teachers' Association of New South Wales and is open to students from kindergarten to year 12.
Grants and Prize Winners
2011 |
Hilary Knowles (Chevalier College). Hilary investigated the issue: What is the best method of filtering pond water to make it drinkable? |
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2010 |
Meena Sritharan (Strathfield Girls High School) How to Toil an Oil Spill: Does the Water Temperature of the Ocean Affect the Time to Clean up an Oil Spill?media release information |
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2009 |
Rebecca Dawkins (Sydney Girls High School) Effect of Colour and Roofing Material on House Temperature |
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To raise awareness of climate change we supported an educational event to support International Day of Climate Action |
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2008 |
Sam Wightman (Mullumbimby High School) Acidic Rain Water from Acid Sulphate Soils |
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Turramurra High School for environmental school ground projects |
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2007 |
Nina Pinto (Hornsby Girls High School) The Habitat of the Marine Snail, Nerita atramentosa, and the Tenacity of its Foot in Various Salinities |
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Warrawee Primary School for bushland maintenance |
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2006 |
Robbie Bishop-Taylor (Great Lakes College, Forster Campus) The Identification of Critical Salinity Thresholds for Upper Estuarine Plants |
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St Ives Park Primary School for development of a bushland area |
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2005 |
Laura Woollacott An Investigation into the Pollution Stopper and its Effects on the Water Quality of Moores Creek |
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2004 |
Daniel Tracey (Barker College) Analysing the Effects of Different Types of Grey Water on Plants |
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2003 |
Andrew Stewart (Karabar Distance Education Centre) Artificial Wetlands: Can Carex appressa Prevent Eutrophication in Australian Waterways? |
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Warrawee Primary School to implemented a program to increase student appreciation and awareness of native tress and Ku-ring-gai Creative Arts High School o restore native bushland by removing the invading exotic Agapanthus and replanting with local species |
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2002 |
Gregory Howe (Fort Street High School) Feral Fish: Is the Plague Minnow in the Myall River System? |
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Turramurra North Primary School to plant native trees and Pymble Primary School to establish a worm farm |
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2001 |
Lui Weber (Wollumbin High School) conducted a survey on the endangered red-fruited ebony, Diospyros mabacea |
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Turramurra Primary School for weed education and Warrawee Primary School for the creation of native gardens |