SPOTLIGHT ON: Marine Education at Australian Aquariums

Underwater World, Mooloolaba. 

Who doesn’t love an aquarium? As a coast loving country Australia is lucky enough to have several significant aquariums. They are places where you actually get to see marine life first hand, and if you are lucky enough, really learn about what life is like under the sea. Excursions to an aquarium will be long remembered and can provide teachers with a wealth of all weather practical opportunities to inspire.

Good quality aquariums provide a tremendous service to the community by offering school programs that not only teach about ocean wildlife but also the need for sustainable solutions for keeping oceans healthy.

Cooper and Fred look at litter

At UnderWater World in Mooloolaba, for example, middle year students undertaking the Message in a Bottle 4 program examine the effects of human action on the natural environment. The program is one that aims to encourage sustainability, stewardship and ways students can actively participate in conserving their ocean environments.

If you want a great excursion, go to an aquarium!

To find more about Aussie aquariums:
o UnderWater World in Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, Queensland (click here)
o Reef HQ of Townsville, Queensland (click here)
o Oceanworld Manly in Manly, New South Wales (click here)
o Sydney Aquarium in Sydney, New South Wales (click here)
o Melbourne Aquarium, Victoria (click here)
o The Aquarium of Western Australia (AQWA) (click here)

PRE/POST VISIT STUDIES: Teachers can take advantage of AUSMEPA's freeonline marine education packages as pre or post aquarium visit studies. (click here)  
Posters are also available.