Our 60 minute primary school incursions are tailored to our next generation of budding marine biologists and conservation enthusiasts! Aimed at Grades 4 to 6, these programs are delivered in the classroom by qualified scientists and experienced science communicators. We approach complex science and conservation issues in a positive manner, focused on inspiring young students.
Our ‘Adaptations’ discusses adaptations as drivers of the theory of evolution, using various world and Australian animals, including the newly discovered Burrunan dolphin, as references. Students learn the definition of an adaptation and how animals use adaptations to best survive in their environment.
Our practical components encourage the students to explore these ideas through creativity and play. Students match animals to a range of environments and identify which adaptations will aid them in survival. They also have the opportunity to use their imagination and apply their knowledge to create their own animal for a specific environment.
Our ‘Ecosystem’ program explores different types of ecosystems and what defines them, including biotic and abiotic interactions. We also introduce the concept of human induced physical changes on environments, and how these changes can impact marine ecosystems. Focusing on local marine environments, including Port Phillip Bay or the Gippsland Lakes systems, the practical component of this program involves students interacting with our dolphin research survey data, discussing dolphin behaviour in these ecosystem and possible human-induced impacts.
Our ‘Food Chains and Food Webs’ program introduces the feeding interactions between organisms within ecosystems. Students learn about a marine food chain and different trophic levels, with a particular focus on local marine environments of Port Phillip Bay or the Gippsland Lakes System. Students are introduced to the ideas of environmental and human-induced changes altering food pyramid structure. Students have the opportunity to explore the effects of these interactions creating food chain models during the hands-on activity, as well as investigate the effects of inducing changes on their model.
Our ‘Sustainability in a Changing World’ program introduces the concept sustainability, the impacts we as humans are having on our planet and the long term concerns facing us if we don’t “make a change”. This program raises awareness of sustainability at all levels – ecosystem, global and into the future. Despite issues in society of neglect of sustainability, we focus on empowering the students and enabling a sense of stewardship. The program can be tailored to both a primary school and a high school audience, with different consolidation learning activities.
During the activity component, students have to opportunity to engage in a sustainability in society discussion, are encouraged to come up with their own ideas of simple sustainable solutions to an environmental issue and/or use their imaginations to invent a new technology that makes a difference.
