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Year 3 Science Incursions in Brisbane

Ocean Life Education’s Life Cycle Program

During Ocean Life Education’s exciting “Life Cycles – The Birth and Growth of Animals” incursion students will dive into the fascinating world of marine animals to uncover the unique life cycles of various sea creatures. By interacting with a diverse array of marine life, they gain insights into reproduction, birth, and growth stages across different species and experience first-hand differences that exist between living and non-living things. This incursion highlights examples from iconic local marine animals, focusing on sharks, whales and turtles to ensure it is relevant to local students. Keep reading to find out more about our Year 3 Science Incursions in Brisbane.

Link to Primary Programs

Exploring Marine Reproduction

During this engaging incursion, we highlight the different ways in which our ocean creatures come into the world.

Our sea stars, sea cucumbers and sea urchins offer wonderful examples of exterior fertilization…where adults release eggs and sperm into the water. And our sharks and freshwater turtles provide living proof of how interior fertilisation occurs in other species.

Incredible Ocean Births

Students find out that not all animals are born the same way and that our sharks and freshwater turtles hatch from eggs as perfect miniature versions of their parents. Whereas our sea stars and sea urchins start out their life as a plankton, later going through dramatic change (metamorphosis) to become like their parents.

We love seeing the surprise on children’s faces as they contemplate these mind-blowing wonders of nature!

The Fascinating World of Shark Reproduction

Focusing on our sharks, we then discuss the three different ways in which they may be born, according to the species. Some sharks are born from eggs (like our little ones), some are born alive (like us), e.g. Great Whites, Tiger Sharks and Whaler Sharks, and then there are some like the Grey Nurse Shark that are a combination of the two.

Students love exploring sharks and discussing how and why they have evolved in these ways.

Shark Life Cycle Resources

Examining Local Case Studies – Humpback Whales

Some animals travel long distances as part of their life cycle, such as Humpback Whales that travel from Antarctica up into the tropical waters off Queensland’s coast to give birth to their calves in warmer waters. Through suckling their young, the females provide calves with the energy and precious fat stores needed to survive the long migration back down to the icy southern waters where they feed on plankton during the Antarctic Summer, before commencing the incredible journey again.

The humpback whale migration begins in May/June heading north off the Australian coastline. We can observe the humpback whales travelling back down to the Antarctic during the months of September and October.

Humpback Resources

Additional Topics Covered in our Life Cycles Incursion

Our Year Three life cycles incursion also teaches students about fundamental biological processes such as the need for food, reproduction, shelter-seeking behaviours, classifying the difference between living and non-living things, adaptation to habitats, and mobility.

Imprinting a Love of the Ocean: Cultivating Future Environmental Advocates

At Ocean Life Education, we firmly believe that “you protect what you know and love.” That’s why we’re dedicated to teaching children about the wonders of the ocean. By fostering a deep connection with marine environments, we aim to inspire the next generation of environmental advocates.

Our passionate team brings this mission to life through engaging science incursions, where our enthusiasm for the ocean is evident. It’s this genuine love and commitment that make our educational experiences truly unique and impactful. We’re excited to share our passion and knowledge, hoping to spark a lifelong appreciation for the ocean in every child we reach.

Find out more about our Year 3 Science Incursions in Brisbane.

A Note About Year 3 Curriculum Science: Biological Science

This incursion aligns with the Australian Curriculum content description ‘Science Understanding’ and under the sub strand of ‘Biological Science’. AC9S3U01…

“Students classify and compare living and non-living things and different life cycles”.

Useful links

Life Cycle Activities & Resources

Blog: Life Cycles of Ocean Animals for Schools

Ocean Life Education’s Life Cycles Video

Our Primary Incursions

Here’s a link to our other news

Year 1 Science Incursions in Brisbane

Ocean Life Education’s Habitats Program

One of Ocean Life Educations most popular programs is our Habitats Program, which focuses on curriculum learning for students in Prep and Year One. It’s a wonderful interactive based learning experience that focuses on how living things have a few basic needs to survive.

Read on to find out more about our year 1 science incursions in Brisbane…

A Voyage of Discovery

Students discover what a habitat is and that in order for an area to be a suitable habitat for an animal, it needs to provide the fundamental elements: food, water, shelter, air and oxygen.

Exploring a Diverse Range of Habitats

Key habitat areas explored are rocky shores, sandy beaches, mangroves, sea grass beds, coral reefs, and the open ocean.

Find out more about diverse ocean habitats here.

How Ocean Animals Suit their Habitat

Students will discover that animals vary greatly, coming in different shapes and sizes, therefore requiring different types of habitat areas. They will find out through interaction, that our live display animals may live in one or more of these habitat areas and why.

This is a fun and exhilarating way for students to grasp all the key concepts about living things and their habitat.

Helping you Plan your Incursion

In the planning stages, we work with schools and home school centres to ensure your needs are met, and that we are focusing on what’s relevant to your teaching goals. If you have a special area of interest, we will concentrate on that.

Then, on the day of the incursion, our enthusiastic Marine Educators deliver highly educational, fun and engaging incursion that children will remember for a lifetime.

Our Primary Programs

Building Foundational Science Knowledge

These incursions will provide a dynamic and engaging way for Year 1 and Prep students to build foundational knowledge in science, fostering curiosity and a deeper appreciation for the natural world and imprinting a sense of ownership for its wellbeing.

Imprinting a Love of the Ocean

We stand by the statement that you ‘protect what you know and love’ and believe that teaching children about the ocean will help create environmental advocates of the future.

Our whole crew is passionate about the ocean, and we think this is very apparent during our science incursions and what makes the learning experience with Ocean Life Education very special indeed.

Find out about our Ocean Habitats Excursions

Learn about wetland habitats here

A Note About Year 1 Curriculum Science: Biological Science

Our incursions sit under the Australian Curriculum unit ‘Science Understanding’ and under the sub strand of ‘Biological Science’.

Understanding Sciences

AC9S1U01

Identify the basic needs of plants and animals including air, water, food or shelter, and describe how the places they live meet those needs.

Our Primary Incursions

Here’s a link to our other news

And a link to our programs

Ocean Life Education – School Incursions

Our Inspiring Team of Marine Biologists

Updating the team page on our website this month made us think that it’s about time to do a blog post dedicated to the incredible people who make our programs so popular – the wonderful crew at Ocean Life Education!

We really do have the best team imaginable who all have one thing in common – their passion for the ocean and their enthusiasm for wanting to share their knowledge and educate others about the big blue.

So, here we report back on what the inspirational crew at Ocean Life Education love about the ocean and why they want to shout about it!

A Passion for the Ocean

Our educators tell us that they are driven by a deep passion for the ocean due to key factors that have resulted from childhood or ocean experiences. That’s why we believe that giving children the opportunity to experience ocean life firsthand is key to harbouring a love of the ocean. Here’s what they say…

Reasons our Team Say they Love the Ocean

Fascination with Marine Life: The incredible diversity of marine organisms, from the smallest plankton to the largest whales, captures the imagination. The intricate behaviours, unique adaptations, and complex ecosystems of marine life provide endless opportunities for discovery and study.

Our educator’s favourite ocean animals are diverse, ranging from the tiniest nudibranch, pistol shrimps and gobies, to turtles, humpback whales and graceful manta rays. What an impressive range, demonstrating just how incredible life in the ocean is.

Environmental Stewardship: A desire to protect and preserve ocean ecosystems against the increasing threats to marine environments, such as pollution, overfishing, and climate change, drive them to work towards conservation and sustainability.

Whale Rescue Coolum 1996

Many of our educators have worked on environmental projects themselves. Director of Education, Richard Coward, has been involved in research projects such as buoyancy syndrome turtle research, shark research and breeding programs.

Many staff, including Richard, have also been involved in rescues, resulting in the release of whales and turtles (amongst other species) back into the wild.

Check out this picture of the rescue that Richard was involved in.

Love of Exploration: The ocean is still largely unexplored, offering a sense of adventure and the allure of uncovering new species, unknown habitats, and geological features.

The mystery and vastness of the ocean inspire curiosity and a spirit of discovery in our crew.

“I was amazed when I went diving at night in Papua New Guinea and was lucky enough to experience a coral spawning event in an ocean that was glowing with bioluminescence (the production and emission of light by a living organism – seen in the image). It just blew my mind! Another time, I was awe-struck when I went diving with a smack (yes, the collective name!) of sea jellies (aka jelly fish). Magic moments that I will treasure forever…and there’s so much more to come!!”

Growing Up on the Coast

Connection to Nature: Our educators all love the ocean, often stemming from childhood experiences, such as beach visits, snorkelling, or scuba diving. This personal connection fuels a lifelong passion for studying and protecting marine environments.

Most of our educators were lucky enough to have grown up next to the ocean in Queensland or NSW. The East Coast of Australia is probably one of the best places on earth to grow up if you love the ocean!

These factors combine to create a strong passion among our team for the ocean and its inhabitants, driving them to be the inspirational educators that they are!

Find out more about our inspirational team

Fancy a career in Marine Biology?

Here’s a link to our other news

And a link to our programs

Get Set for World Ocean Day Australia 2024

Every year on June 8th, the global community comes together to celebrate World Ocean Day and focus on the vital importance of our oceans. In 2024, the significance of this day resonates more deeply than ever before. So, it’s key that we educate our young people about the pivotal role of our oceans in sustaining life on Earth and make them aware of the challenges the ocean is facing. But how do we do that in a way that gives them hope and inspires them to want to learn more and take positive action to make a difference? Here are some great ideas to help you keep young minds optimistic as we get set for World Ocean Day Australia 2024.

Let’s Talk about some Good News for a Start…

The good news is that there is a lot of great work being done to make a positive difference to the health of the ocean, such as the Ocean Cleanups Epic Win (see below).

And the other good news is that we have lots of engaging ideas for educating children in a fun manner so that they feel hopeful about the future.

Positive News: The Ocean Cleanup’s Epic Win!

Great news for fellow ocean warriors! The Ocean Cleanup just hit a mega milestone in the battle against ocean plastic! They’ve managed to scoop out a whopping 220 tonnes of plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and fished out over 6,000 kilograms of plastic in just one go!

With these impressive efforts it’s no wonder it’s the largest clean up in history.

So, what is this garbage patch? It’s basically like a massive floating dump, bobbing about between California and Hawaii and covering an area three times bigger than France!

And the Ocean Cleanup crew is stepping up efforts in 2024 and aim to clean up 90% of floating ocean plastic pollution.

Click link below to find out more.

And let’s talk about the difference each individual can make

One person can make a significant difference to the health and well-being of the ocean through their actions and choices. Here are several ways an individual can positively impact the ocean on World Ocean Day 2024 in Australia.

Reduce Plastic Use: By minimizing the use of single-use plastics such as bags, bottles, and straws, individuals can help prevent plastic pollution from entering the ocean.

Proper Disposal: Ensuring that waste is disposed of properly and recycled when possible prevents litter from ending up in waterways and eventually reaching the ocean.

Participate in Beach Cleanups: Joining or organizing beach cleanups helps remove trash and debris from coastal areas, preventing it from harming marine life.

Conserve Water: Conserving water at home reduces the amount of wastewater and pollutants that flow into rivers and eventually reach the ocean.

Choose Sustainable Seafood: Opting for sustainably sourced seafood helps reduce overfishing and supports fisheries that prioritize environmental conservation.

Educate Others: Sharing knowledge about ocean conservation and raising awareness about the importance of protecting marine ecosystems can inspire others to take action.

Support Conservation Efforts: Contributing to organizations and initiatives dedicated to ocean conservation helps fund research, advocacy, and restoration projects.

While the actions of one person may seem small, collective efforts can lead to significant positive changes for the ocean and its inhabitants. Every individual has the power to make a difference and contribute to the preservation of our planet’s most vital resource.

And how about…

Checking out the World Ocean Day for Schools ( 7 June 2024) official website and resources.

Or Why Not…

Book an educational incursion or excursion with one of our inspired Ocean Life Education team – click here to explore our programs.

Ocean Life Education’s World Ocean Day Blogs – featuring Activities & Resources

About Ocean Life Education

We visit centres for all with our lively team of marine animals, including Early Years, Primary & Secondary Schools, and Vacation Care settings. We also host events and excusions. All programs are tailored to your needs and delivered by qualified marine educators. Our aim is to to engage children to want to learn more about the ocean and to feel a duty to protect it..

Here are some resources you might find useful…

World Ocean Day for Schools

World Ocean Day Website & Downloadable posters

The Ocean Cleanup