Coral reefs and climate change
The individual, classroom, lab and field activities are designed for high school and early tertiary level students, and anyone interested in exploring coral reefs, climate change and sustainable living in more detail. Some activities make use of the Coral Health Chart. Additional virtual tools provide an opportunity to learn more about coral bleaching and active monitoring. Virtual tools can be used to prepare for a field trip or as a valuable alternative to a field trip. Away from the reef
Coral reefs and climate change
Illustrated through animated diagrams and photos, interviews with scientists, clear language, and footage from around the globe, this series brings concepts from the book to life. Each of these 22 videos (3-8 min each) explores a key topic in oceanography, coral reef ecology, climate change science, and reef conservation. Suited to use in a variety of settings, this series may be used independently or in conjunction with other CoralWatch education materials.
Reef Guardian School
Reef Guardians curriculum aligned education resources cover a range of topics to teach and learn about the Great Barrier Reef including climate change, World Heritage and Cultural values, sustainability, wetlands, threats and biodiversity. Follow the link to find resources, including our Reef Beat poster series, unit plans, activity sheets, videos and much more!
A guide for curriculum development First Nations Australians’ Science
This resource offers educators guidelines and practical examples for incorporating First Nations Australians’ science into STEM education while respecting cultural knowledge protocols. It includes multiple case studies, such as one examining the Eurocentric concept of seasons alongside First Nations seasonal calendars, highlighting their geographical diversity and differences from the traditional European four-season model.
Marine Ecosystems & Human Impacts
The Port Phillip EcoCentre provides a wide range of marine excursion activities at St Kilda Beach, St Kilda Pier and West Beach. Using Port Phillip Bay as our outdoor classroom we have a variety of hands-on activities that allow schools to tailor their excursion to match curriculum needs, inquiry topic and student projects.
Dolphin ID – A Science Skill Session
The external provider, Cetacean Science Connection, offers a session that explores the process they use as cetacean scientists to identify individual dolphins, highlighting why this is a crucial aspect of their conservation efforts.
Plastic pollution, what’s the solution?
The external provider, Cetacean Science Connection, offers an incursion that uses the design-based thinking process. In this program, students will develop solutions to reduce marine plastic pollution, whether by collecting it at the source, on the beach or in a gyre, or by changing human behaviour. This real-world STEM problem, if solved, could not only reduce the risk of injury or death to marine wildlife, but also improve the lives of coastal communities around the world.
A Porpoiseful Problem – A real-life marine STEM problem-solving session
External provider Cetacean Science Connections, uses design-based thinking to get students to investigate and attempt to solve how we can ‘count’ the number of dolphins that reside in Port Phillip Bay. A real-life marine STEM problem that wildlife managers face when trying to determine how best to conserve our wildlife.
Narragunnawali – Caring for Country
Caring for Country – the land, seas, and skies on which we live and learn – is everyone’s responsibility. It’s important to recognise that there are many ways to take on and share this responsibility, with actions that may seem small but hold significant meaning. This resource explores the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures to environmental management practices, including aquaculture.
Science Talk
Science Talk is a video series featuring scientists from around the world and their fascinating research on our blue backyard. Topics include nightmarish deep-sea discoveries, coral larvae ecology, reef restoration, and whether magnets can repel sharks from fishing nets—plus much more.