Case Study

Wheatbelt Science Trail – Project Implementation

Introduction

In 2016, the Wheatbelt Science Hub (WSH) was awarded Community Chest grant funding through the Wheatbelt Development Commission to create a virtual science trail throughout the Wheatbelt region. This project aimed to showcase the scientific significance and educational potential of the region through an engaging, interactive platform. Our team (under our previous branding of Anna Dixon Consulting) was engaged to manage the implementation of this ambitious and multifaceted project.

Situation

The Wheatbelt Science Hub envisioned a project that would highlight the diverse scientific themes across the region while engaging local communities. However, this required a thorough and inclusive approach to identify relevant sites and compile high-quality educational content. Key challenges included ensuring strong community involvement, sourcing engaging visuals, and addressing logistical constraints of maintaining a geographically dispersed trail. The project also needed to align with limited operational funding and explore strategies to sustain interest and usability post-launch.

Solution

Our approach to implementing the Wheatbelt Science Trail involved:

Community Engagement:

- Identified and prioritised science-themed sites with input from local communities.
- Sourced high-quality images contributed by the community.

Trail Development:

- Created a digital trail featuring 62 science-themed sites with detailed educational content.
- Established 48 geocaches with science themes to complement the virtual trail.

Launch and Marketing:
- Developed launch and marketing strategies with supporting print and digital collateral to promote the trail regionally.

Outcome

The successful implementation of the Wheatbelt Science Trail led to widespread community, media, and stakeholder interest. The trail was enthusiastically promoted through regional tourist information networks, attracting visitors and enhancing awareness of the region’s scientific heritage.

This project provided valuable insights into developing a novel trail concept, particularly the challenges faced by volunteer-driven organisations operating without recurrent funding. Despite these hurdles, the Wheatbelt Science Trail stands as a testament to community collaboration and innovative project management in creating an enduring educational and tourism resource for the region.