WA students' live link-up with James Cameron

• Perth school one of two in world chosen for live chat with famous film maker
• Cameron to answer student questions on his latest amazing adventure

Roseworth Primary School students will go beyond the classroom walls and deep into the ocean with exclusive access to Titanic director James Cameron, who is on a quest to discover the ocean's depths.

The Girrawheen school is one of only two in the world selected for the live link-up with the world-leading film maker.

Mr Cameron, most famous for blockbuster films Titanic and Avatar, is also an explorer and has been part of many deep sea dives including 33 expeditions to the Titanic wreck.

His most recent deep sea exploration in March saw him take the  one-man submarine the Deepsea Challenger  11km under the sea to the to the bottom of the Mariana Trench in the Western Pacific, the deepest part of the world's oceans.

Students from years 5 to 7 at Roseworth Primary School have been communicating with Mr Cameron's crew on board the base ship, the Mermaid Sapphire, using Skype, and today will speak with Mr Cameron himself.

Education Minister Liz Constable congratulated the innovative school for being chosen to connect with Mr Cameron.

"Technology in the classroom is allowing students amazing opportunities and makes the possibilities for learning endless," Dr Constable said.

"The advanced technology used to directly link students in Girrawheen to James Cameron on board his ship almost 6,000km away gives students the chance to go beyond the classroom and access experts from all over the world.

"This kind of communication is enriching the curriculum, increasing collaboration among students across the world and creating greater enthusiasm for learning."

Students have followed and created blogs, wikis, e-portfolios and quizzes related to the Deepsea Challenger adventure and will discuss the research footage with experts as well as follow future expeditions and learn about ocean conservation issues.

Principal Geoff Metcalf said students and staff were excited to be part of such an innovative program.

"Speaking directly with Mr Cameron about his experiences is creating a huge buzz around the school and the motivation for learning in the four classrooms involved is very high," he said.

"Classrooms have been fitted with technology for high definition video recording, Skype video capture and webcam so students can work individually on footage captured in the deep sea environment.

"As well as speaking with Mr Cameron this morning, Roseworth Primary School will also link up with Los Angeles school MUSE Elementary founded by Suzy Amis, Mr Cameron's wife.

"Mr Cameron and his wife are keen to see a partnership between the two schools and have offered their support to develop sharing opportunities using information technology."

The link between the students of the two schools while they are speaking with Mr Cameron will be filmed by National Geographic.

      Fact File

• Independent Public School Roseworth PS established working relationship with Telstra to allow this project to go ahead
• Roseworth PS was recently announced one of 10 new Child and Parent Centres, allowing the school to expand in area of early learning

Minister's office - 6552 5700