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Ancient science and modern technology are the perfect fit at the Herdsman Wildlife Centre.

Adjunct Professor Kevin Kenneally from the Centre for Regional Development and A/Professor Jan Dook from the UWA Spice program, joined forces recently to create an iPad application on the food web at Herdsman Lake.

The app was launched by WA's Chief Scientist, UWA Professor Lyn Beazley.

Sponsored by the Department of Education, the WA Gould League, of which Professor Kenneally is the president, provides unique environmental and Aboriginal learning experiences for more than 7,000 students each year at the Herdsman Lake Wildlife Centre.

The League wanted to extend the experience into the classroom and Professor Dook provided the solution.  She and the Spice team had created a Kimberley Food Webs app for middle school students and that project has now developed into a state-wide approach.  The app is free and available from iTunes.

Food webs describe the dynamic interaction of multiple food chains within an ecosystem and they help students to understand relationships, including the effects of human activity.

Alongside the latest technology is the League's Ancient Science initiative which is a finalist in the 2013 Chevron Science Engagement Awards.

Professor Kenneally said the program introduced students to local Aboriginal customs, creating a unique science engagement experience where contemporary science meets traditional Aboriginal wisdom.