TEACHERS: Oil spill interactive site from ITOPF for students

Here is the link https://kids.itopf.com/facts for an unusual site that gives information about oil spills and provides facts and quizzes what has been learned.


www.ausmepa.org.au

TEACHERS: Food for thought

Can we change from being a 'throw-away' society?

This clip is talking about our extensive use of disposable plastic cutlery and the environmental effect from the time it takes the earth to make petrochemicals to the making of a spoon and our one use of it.




What are the impacts of making a metal spoon? Mining, milling and production bring us the spoon however we reuse it avoiding waste.

www.ausmepa.org.au

OCEAN ACIDIFICATION: 4th International Symposium on the Ocean in a High-CO2 World, 3rd-6th May 2016, Hobart TASMANIA

This Symposium is a gathering of the world’s leading experts in a rapidly developing frontier of research dealing with the science of ocean acidification. This is the first time the Symposium will be held in the Southern Hemisphere and will highlight the importance of ocean acidification for the region. The symposia typically attract over 500 participants and are prime networking events, bringing together researchers, students, and government and industry representatives. Abstracts are due by 4 November and can be submitted via the online presentation portal. Symposium Themes We particularly encourage submissions that are designed to make progress and stimulate critical thinking and debate in any of the conference theme sessions listed below. A detailed description for each theme area can be found on thewebsite. Organism responses to Ocean Acidification Ecological effects of Ocean Acidification Changing carbonate chemistry of the Ocean Advances in Ocean Acidification research and monitoring Ocean Acidification and society – economics and food security Mitigation of Ocean Acidification Ocean Acidification and the increasingly crowded ocean – global change multistressors Open Workshops A series of workshops that will amplify some of main themes of the Oceans in a High CO2 World Symposium will take place prior to or after the main meeting. These less formal workshops will comprise oral presentations, discussion sessions and in some cases hands-on practical sessions. Visit the website for workshop overviews: www.highco2-iv.org/workshops.  Coral reefs in a high CO2 world – Heron Island 27-30 April 2016 xFOCE systems: present status and future developments workshop 28-29 April 2016 Chemical, biological, and statistical considerations for ocean acidification experiments 28 and 29 April (Thursday and Friday) and 2 May (Monday) Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network (GOA-ON) Workshop 8-10 May 2016 The fate of “Sea Butterfly” in the high CO2 world: finalising the role of pteropod as bio-indicators of ocean acidification 9-10 May 2016 Multiple stressors and marine biota 9-11 May 2016

www.ausmepa.org.au

Kids Investigating Sea Solutions (KISS)

If you want to discover some of the amazing things about the sea, what makes it wonderful, how you can contribute to keeping it safe for the plants, animals and organisms that live there, you may want to watch these pages for news, art and information.

http://www.ausmepa.org.au/kiss/

Here are some of the KISS craft ideas that teachers loved at the teachers resource exhibition in Brisbane.

www.ausmepa.org.au

BOOK: Global warming and climate change: what Australia knew and buried - then framed a new reality for the public

Here is a book that may be of special interest to those who have followed the climate change and green house story over the last 25yrs.  For high school teachers it represents a wealth of information for framing a debate.

www.ausmepa.org.au

Guide to the Sea Snakes of the Kimberley Coast of Western Australia

Technical Report: Guide to the Sea Snakes of the Kimberley Coast of Western Australia

Ruchira Somaweera · Kate Sanders

ABSTRACT: Australia’s Kimberley coast has the world’s highest recorded diversity of sea snakes supporting more than one third of all known species, with at least three species found only in this region. Sea snakes occupy varied habitats in the Kimberley, ranging from deeper offshore waters to shallow coral reefs and mangroves. Some Kimberley species have extremely small distributions and are considered critically endangered or endangered. For example, the Short-nosed Sea Snake (Aipysurus apraefrontalis) and Leaf-scaled Sea Snake (Aipysurus foliosquama) have disappeared from offshore Ashmore and Hibernia Reefs and are now known only from scattered records along the northwest coast.

This guide illustrates all know species and also summarises information on their biology and conservation. Some of these species even occur in Perth waters, mostly as vagrants.

Printed copies are available through the Department of Parks and Wildlife
http://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/..

www.ausmepa.org.au

Fresh-water algae for “organic” food ingredient production in cities

Algae farming for food ingredients is coming to cities. It is an important part of future urban aquaponics.  

Qponics Limited directors are now planning to hold a breakfast lecture meeting soon at the Brisbane Technology Park Conference Centre to further outline a joint venture now planned for fresh-water algae for “organic” food ingredient production in Brisbane, Australia, and in the United Kingdom. 

The latest news release (click here) outlines what Dr Graeme Barnett, CEO and Managing Director of  Qponics Limited, will be talking about – fresh-water, urban algae farming for vegetarian-quality omega-3 oils and proteins grown from clean organic wastes and from clean carbon dioxide wastes.

So, next year Brisbane warehouses close to suppliers of waste organic matter and waste carbon dioxide, will start to have algae production plants.

For more information visit  www.qponics.com

http://www.qponics.com/images/Media_Releases/Qponics_-Media_Release_FINAL_August_21_2015.pdf

   


www.ausmepa.org.au

Irukandji Jellyfish

World's deadliest fishing - Irukandji Jellyfish

 

The Nature of Science

www.ausmepa.org.au

50 Shades of Nudibranch by Earth Touch

Those readers who love nature will find Earth Touch a great place to visit online at http://www.earthtouchnews.com/home/
and they even have a Wild Oceans section with interesting collections like this one.



Well done, Earth Touch and Wild Oceans.

Thanks

www.ausmepa.org.au

SEA TURTLE; art & craft project

Sea turtles start out by hatching from eggs under the sand of a beach. They risk their lives as they race to get to the sea. They spend years at sea and when a female is old enough she returns close to where she was born to lay her own eggs.

In this activity we will make a mother turtle.

What you need:

·        Card or manila folder

·        Scissors

·        Glue

·        Texta, black and green

·        Photocopy templates to use as guides

·        Optional, use of onion skin to create shell pattern

 

What to do:

·        Using the illustrations as a guide cut an egg shaped piece of card or manila folder

·        Using the cut out as a guide draw the turtle head, body, tail and flippers

·        Colour the scaly skin using a green texta

·        Colour in two eyes with a black texta or paint

·        Cut out pieces of card or onion skin and decorate the top of the shell

·        Cut out the pieces of card to create the breast plate on the underside of the shell

·        Put the head, flippers and tail template between the upper shell and the breast plate

     ·        Secure with glue
 


 You can see AUSMEPA art activities on their new Kids Investigating Sea Solutions webpage here 

www.ausmepa.org.au

AUSMEPA making a difference in the USA

Working to make a difference sometimes feels like calling out in the dark. Is anyone listening? Then you recieve a communication like this...

Hi there, I wanted to send you a 'thank you' for your webpage (http://www.ausmepa.org.au/australian-marine-environment-protection-association-links.htm). I am a mentor for a group of students at an after school program, and I've recently been teaching them about marine and how all species are affected when we don't take care of our planet. I just wanted to let you know that your information on ocean conservation has been a big help!

One of my students (Andrea) took a lot of this information to heart and brought in an article to teach the class about ocean pollution. I think it would also be helpful to your visitors as well! "Clean Our Oceans: The Impact of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch" - http://www.bbcleaningservice.com/great-pacific-garbage-patch.html

Would you mind including the article on your page for me? I thought that it would fit in well with your information, and she would be proud to see that she is able to help make a difference in the world. Let me know if you get the chance to update - and thanks again for the great website!

Have a great day,
-Joan

Thanks, Joan for your support and right back atcha. The web link you provided has lots more information of interest to teachers and students.

www.ausmepa.org.au

Western Australian reef research by AIMS

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Seagrass Blue Carbon Blues

Seagrasses are a vitally important component of healthy coastal waters. They've been described as the 'canaries' of the sea and revered as indicators of healthy or unhealthy systems. Students may find this clip, from the Intergation and Application Network, a different way to take in some special information about why we need to keep an eye on them. Perhaps it might inspire some students to try their own hand at creating a marine story in song?



www.ausmepa.org.au

Climbing Perch Stepping Across the Torres Strait

This amazing little fish from Papua New Guinea is causing some concern in Far North Queensland.

"Researchers and rangers are monitoring the climbing perch, which has already overrun waterways on two Queensland islands in the Torres Strait," ABC news said today. Read more here




www.ausmepa.org.au

QUEENSLAND EDUCATION RESOURCES EXPO (QUEDREX) Brisbane 25-26 July 2015

This excellent exhibition is for teachers. We'd love to see you there!

www.ausmepa.org.au

Injured Black Swan released after removing fishing hooks and line

Learn more about this story on the Kids Investigating Sea Solutions pages here



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Increased environmental protection for Coral Sea

www.ausmepa.org.au

The Tasmanian Coastal Litter and Marine Debris Survey

Title: Exploring education responses to coastal litter and marine debris in Tasmania through collaborative learning and participation

Marine debris and litter on coastlines is globally recognised as a growing and pervasive problem. Tasmania, being an island state, experiences a range of issues and impacts and is well placed to investigate coastal litter and marine debris problems and solutions.

Emerging research in Tasmania is seeking to understand how people work and learn together and explore education approaches in response to coastal litter and marine debris issues.

The PhD study aims to explore collaboration, learning and participation in education responses to coastal litter and marine debris in Tasmania. It commences with a survey to capture a snapshot of the perceptions and experiences of Tasmanian coastal stakeholders to help identify gaps, strengths and opportunities for education approaches.

This is an opportunity for Tasmanian’s to share their views and experiences and to help inform future responses to coastal litter and marine debris.

All coastal stakeholders are invited to participate in an online survey.

The Tasmanian Coastal Litter and Marine Debris Survey

The survey is open until 30^th June 2015 and takes 15- 30 minutes to complete. Hard copies are available on request.

This study is led by Leah Page, PhD candidate, Faculty of Education, UTas, is supported by the Alcorso Foundation and the Bookend Trust, and has been approved by the Tasmanian Social Sciences Human Research Ethics Committee H0014628.

Please get involved and help inform future education responses to coastal litter and marine debris in Tasmania.

For more information, contact Leah Page at l.b.page@utas.edu.au or 0438 454 260.

Photo: Leah Page with a collection of litter she cleaned up from her local beach. By Barb Lennox.

For more details about this communication:

Ms Leah Page

PhD Candidate, Faculty of Education
University of Tasmania
l.b.bpage@utas.edu.au  0438 454 260

View Leah Page’s profile here

www.ausmepa.org.au

Marine activities for primary school aged children

AUSMEPA is a good source for marine education materials for primary and middle school students.

Since the early 2000's teachers have been able to source free posters sets that correspond to free online units of work related to stormwater run-off, marine pests and threats, coral bleaching and climate change, rockpools, ships and ports and the marine environment. They simply email info@ausmepa.org.au with their name, school, address and telephone number.

Last year the poster portfolio was upgraded and new primary posters were created to meet demand from our clients for single animals. Fact sheets that accompany the new posters are below.

Anemonefish
Cuttlefish
Dangers
Hermit crab
Fairy penguin
Seahorses and seadragons
Sharks and Rays
Turtle


The primary posters were a sensation and we were inundated with requests for education units and activities for all levels of primary students to go with the new posters can be found here.


www.ausmepa.org.au

SEA ANEMONE craft project

Sea anemones are the flowers of the sea. They are related to sea jellies, corals and many other cousins that have polyps with stinging cells. Anemones may live alone or in colonies. They have many colours. They feed by extending their tentacles into the water hoping to catch tiny animals passing by.

Many anemones in cooler southern (or northern) waters are harmless to people although when touched they feel sticky and cling to your finger. 

This anemone is a stylised version using a round plastic bowl and the bottoms of PET drink bottles.

What you need:

• ·        Round plastic soup/cereal/disposable bowl (alternatively you can use a paper bowl)
• ·        Plastic PET drink bottles
• ·        Paper (white)
• ·        Parchment paper (used in the kitchen for baking)
• ·        Iron & surface suitable to iron on
• ·        Scissors
• ·        Paper
• ·        pencil or pen
• ·        Craft glue
• ·        Acrylic paint

Safety:

·        An adult should use the iron

What to do:

·        Cut strips from the outside to the inner edge of the inside of the  bowl (you may like to make some curvy by repeatedly scrunching them up to add interest to the shape

·        Cut the bottoms off of a larger and smaller PET drink bottle

·        Put one of the PET bottoms (curved side down) on top of a piece of parchment paper on a soft safe ironing surface

·        Place a second piece of parchment paper over the top of the PET bottom

·        Keeping your hands well away from the iron, gently press the hot iron onto the parchment paper and swirl around gently, pulling the parchment paper off to check often to see that the sides have softened and bent downwards. (Be sure to replace the parchment paper back on top if you need to do more heating)

·        Let cool for a minute or two and repeat with the second PET bottom

·        If your PET drink bottles have a colour you might like to cut rings and soften the edges in the same way as you did with the bottoms  (See inner ring that is green in illustration)

·        To change the way the tentacles look you can use acrylic paint to make them look more like real tentacles 

 

Link to learn more about red Waratah anemones:
http://www.mesa.edu.au/AtoZ/rw_anemone.asp

To find activity online go to 

www.ausmepa.org.au/kiss and click on KISS Art

Ocean Heroes: The Plastics Problem -- 5 Gyres Institute

It is hard, sometimes, to understand why we need to be serious and dedicated to taking the plastic problem onboard. The following clip is a good quick overview that is very persuasive!




www.ausmepa.org.au

KIDS INVESTIGATING SEA SOLUTIONS (KISS)

AUSMEPA has launched a new flexible student website for helping our marine here environment. It will support a wide range of marine issues that are of ongoing interest as well as those that become topical over time. The main areas of interest will include action projects, habitats, marine creatures and other topics that spring up all the time.  

Mangroves, a marine and coastal issue that students and communities can relate to, have started off the new webpages. The values of mangroves are poorly understood and are far more valuable than people assume. Areas that would be covered:

• The importance of mangroves as habitat, fish resources, barrier to storms and tsunamis and a carbon sink.
• Why mangroves are threatened.
• What are mangroves and where they occur?
• Mangrove adaptations including examples of life cycles.
• How saltmarshes are associated with mangroves and their conservation.
• Animals dependant on mangroves including aquatic and are breathing animals.
• What is being done and what communities and schools are doing to conserve mangroves. 
• Community projects, organisations, links and references

This topic can be fitted into a number of areas in science and geography of the Australian Curriculum.

Art and craft activities 

At AUSMEPA we are well aware that implementing many learning styles gives students a better way to embed and communicate what they have learned and it can be lots of imaginative fun.

The new KISS webpages include art and craft activities here under the KISS Craft tab.

Current activities begin looking at elements related to denizens and habitats of the open ocean, coral reefs, rocky reefs, seagrass and wetlands.

www.ausmepa.org.au

Historic annoucement on Cash for Containers in NSW

www.ausmepa.org.au

AUSMEPA's new marine art and craft pages

Welcome to AUSMEPA's marine art pages HERE

Art is a way to express ideas in a different language. It is most successful when it can be understood by the many rather than the few. However, the art and craft at AUSMEPA is designed to encourage the expression about and to serve as a demonstration of learning about things in the ocean. And it is fun.

The materials suggested in the activities reflect lateral thinking, as art so often does. 

The limiting factors are what you have at hand, what can be sourced easily and economically as well as thinking outside the box.

These activities may provide a good partner to science or sustainability units of work in the classroom. Or they can stand alone. 

The activities are not rated for age as almost all can be adjusted up or down to suit.

We would love to hear about what you've created after looking at these projects and any comments you have that might make the experience richer for others. Send them to education@ausmepa.org.au

www.ausmepa.org.au/kiss