Light pollution concern for Calare students

That's what students from Calare Public School learned as they took on the challenge of advocating for the environment for a shot at equipment for their school.

Groups presented on the effects of light pollution on Monday as part of the Dark Skies competition.

Principal Stephen Bingon said light from cities could affect night skies up to 200 kilometres away.

"Nocturnal animals are significantly impacted - marine animals mistake city lights for the glint of the ocean and find themselves being washed up on the shore," he said.

Mr Bingon said students had the option of delivering a traditional speech on how they would address the problem or to create a video presentation and simply press play - one group used a green screen to superimpose themselves at different locations.

Presentations will go into the running to receive up to $2500 in funding for the school, telescopes for the students in the winning team, plus astronomy books.

It followed a nine-week program with input from Charles Sturt University and the CSIRO, which also looked into Aboriginal astrology.

Calare was one of only 40 schools across the state to participate.