Our flagship online education program, the Marine Science Online Course, is a first-of-a-kind marine science online course designed for robust self-guided student learning. Through this interactive 12-module course, students will be introduced to marine environments and the marine mammals who live within them, including the Burrunan dolphin. Students will explore the impact of litter and marine debris on marine environments, why plastics are so prevalent in the modern world, and how what happens in our local environments can have wider reaching impacts. The course will also identify strategies which are being used both locally and across the world to address the litter issue, and how these can be implemented by students within local and school communities.

Each module within the Marine Science Online Course contains easy to follow animations, relevant written content for students to explore, interactive learning activities, and in-built student assessment. Learning outcomes align with the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals, along with both the Victorian and Australian science curriculum, other integrated curriculum learning areas, and cross-curriculum priorities.

*This program provides assessment opportunities for students, with all assessment data provided to teachers upon completion of the course.

*This program is suited for Level 5-6, Level 7-8, Level 9-10, VCE

Gain a thorough understanding of the importance of water on the Earth as a crucial resource, and the oceans and related marine ecosystems in regards to supporting various animal and plant species and ultimately promoting biodiversity, and how the oceans systems effect life on land.
Develop greater understanding of the biodiversity of Australian marine ecosystems, marine mammal species and their classification differences, physiological features, diet and migratory patterns.
Develop an understanding of the discovery of the Burrunan dolphin , and develop an understanding of the importance of robust research methodology, and working with and collaborating with traditional owners.
Develop an understanding of Burrunan dolphin life history traits and core biological behaviour, as well as social structures within populations and how seasonal changes affect population size and recognise the anthropogenic impacts which can negatively affect Burrunan dolphin populations.
Gain a sound background on plastics, manufacturing, and the negative impacts of plastics on marine wildlife.
Define biodegradable and non-biodegradable.
Define marine debris and understand the estimated load of litter making impacting marine ecosystems and the direct impacts on marine mammals.
Understand and define catchments.
Explore the potential positive impacts on sustainability how this can have both and environmental and social impacts.
Develop well-structured and effective campaigns for conservation.

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Access to the Marine Science Online Course can be purchased directly from the Marine Mammal Foundation. An invoice will be sent, and upon payment, an access code will be provided to purchase the Marine Science Online Course from the MMF shop page.

Upon purchase, access and login information will be sent directly to the nominated email address. For class use, all students will access the course via the same login account.

The Marine Science Online Course can be completed by students independently, or through class-led collaboration.

All module assessment and activity results will be provided to the teacher via a Google Sheets document. This document can be utilised for assessment purposes.

For trouble shooting assistance, please contact MMF directly.

For further information, please see the MMF Policies page.