Primary School Education Programs
Our innovative and exciting primary school incursions are tailored to inspire the next generation of budding marine scientists and conservationists! With content aligned to both the Victorian and Australian science curriculum, along with integration across other learning areas, cross-curriculum priorities, and general capabilities, our programs provide students with unique marine science-based learning opportunities.
Delivered in the classroom by qualified scientists and experienced science communicators, our programs combine relevant and local marine mammal science with inquiry-based student learning. Options for single-session or multiple-session workshops are available.
Our primary school programs include:
Curriculum Programs:
Populations
Classification
Adaptations
Ecosystems
Food Webs
Inquiry Programs:
Sustainability in a Changing World
Marine Litter Project
Dolphin Discovery
Marvellous Marine Mammals
Curriculum Programs
Adaptations
In our Adaptations program, students explore the physiological and behavioural adaptations of different animals required for survival in their environment. Students will define adaptation and investigate the factors which drive organisms to adapt. The practical activity allows students to apply this knowledge, designing their own animal with adaptations for survival in a specific environment.
Ecosystems
Our Ecosystems program explores the different types of ecosystems of Victoria, and how they are interconnected. Students explore the definition of ecosystems, and investigate the biotic and abiotic interactions within different ecosystems, along with the concept of anthropogenic impacts. In the practical activity for this program, students will explore MMF’s Burrunan dolphin sighting data to create a distribution map, and explore the ecosystem drivers within a marine environment.
Food Webs
Our Food Chains & Food Webs program introduces the feeding interactions between organisms in a marine environment. Students will explore the different trophic levels of a marine food web, with a particular focus on local marine systems. Students will also investigate the anthropogenic impacts on food webs. Students will have the opportunity to explore these interactions and apply their knowledge by creating model food webs, and investigate the interactions of this food web.
Classification
Through our innovative Classification program, students become dolphin taxonomists, collecting taxonomical data to identify dolphin species! In this program, we will discuss how and why scientists classify organisms, the use dichotomous keys, and the evolutionary traits of dolphins and whales. In the associated practical activity, students will take measurements of dolphin skulls, using the data to classify which species of dolphin the skull belongs to: the Burrunan dolphin or the common bottlenose dolphin.
Populations
Our Populations program allows students to become dolphin researchers, using real-world MMF Burrunan dolphin data to explore dolphin populations. In this program, students will explore population biology, and why the study of populations is important. In the Populations practical activity, students will use MMF’s Burrunan dolphin catalogue and identify individual dolphins using the unique dorsal fin nicks and notches, to answer questions about the population and identify biotic, abiotic and anthropogenic factors.
Inquiry programs
Dolphin Discovery
MMF’s discovery programs provide light-hearted and accessible learning experiences for students of all ages. Let us take you on the journey of discovery of the Burrunan dolphin in our exciting Dolphin Discovery program. Explore the Burrunan dolphins of Port Phillip Bay and the Gippsland Lakes, how we are able to identify individual dolphins through their unique dorsal fin ‘nicks and notches’, hear dolphin echolocation, and watch amazing underwater videos of these incredible animals. Discover how we can make a difference to conserve and protect this critically endangered species.
Marvellous Marine Mammals
In our Marvellous Marine Mammals program, discover the incredible marine mammal diversity found within Australian and Victoria coastal regions, including dolphins, whales seals and porpoises. See unique images and video of these awesome animals, and learn how we are able to identify different marine mammal species, and learn about animals you may not even know existed, let alone lived in our watery backyards!
Marine Litter Project
This exciting program introduces students to Victoria’s incredible marine mammal diversity, highlights the impact of litter on marine environments, and tasks them with undertaking sustainable action to make a difference in their own classrooms! The Marine Litter Project is region specific (Bin Not Bay, Litter Free Lakes, Bin Not Beach), and through our local marine mammals, inspires appreciation and fosters a connection to marine environments. Through highlighting how local litter can impact distant environments, students are empowered to take action and make a positive difference! Options for single session or multiple-session workshops are available.
SUSTAINABILITY IN A CHANGING WORLD
Our Sustainability in a Changing World program introduces the often complex and difficult concept of sustainability, and makes it relatable and accessible. Through this program, students will define sustainability, identify intrinsic and extrinsic values, and explore the importance of environmental sustainability at local and global scales and the role they will play in the future. Through the practical activity, students will apply their knowledge and investigate unique stakeholder perspectives, exploring how sustainability issues affect word around them.
Send an Enquiry
If you would like more information or to book one of our programs, please email education@marinemammal.org.au or complete the enquiry form.