Teaching children about ocean conservation is one of the most powerful ways to inspire lifelong environmental responsibility. With Australia’s unique marine biodiversity and growing environmental challenges, now is the time to include marine education into early years and primary school learning. Not only does it align well with the Australian Curriculum 9, but it also equips students with knowledge, empathy, and a sense of responsibility for our oceans.

Discover our Human Impact Programs here.

Why Teach Ocean Conservation in Early Years and Primary Settings?

Our oceans are vital. They regulate our climate, support biodiversity, and provide resources we rely on every day. Yet, they are under threat from plastic pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction. Teaching ocean conservation to early years students builds environmental awareness from a young age and empowers students to be part of the solution.

For primary students, classroom lessons on ocean sustainability promote cross-curricular learning across science, geography, and literacy. It also supports key learning outcomes such as sustainability, critical thinking, and community engagement.

Hands-On Marine Education with Ocean Life Education

At Ocean Life Education, we specialise in delivering marine incursions for early years that bring the ocean to life. Our passionate team of marine educators travel across South-East Queensland, offering engaging, hands-on programs using live marine animals to introduce young minds to topics like conservation, food chains, habitats, and human impact.

We believe real-life encounters are key to deep learning. Children learn best when they can touch, see, and connect with the animals they’re learning about. Our programs are designed to inspire curiosity and a personal connection to marine life – encouraging kids to care about protecting it.

Linking with Keep Australia Beautiful Week (August annually)

Keep Australia Beautiful Week in August is a perfect time to explore ocean conservation for kids in your classroom. This national initiative encourages communities to take action against litter and environmental damage – messages that align perfectly with our programs.

Incorporating Ocean Life Education’s marine incursion into your environmental education plan is a great way to introduce a sustainability unit. Follow up with student-led clean-up events, waste audits, or creative ocean literacy themed writing tasks on protecting the ocean. These activities reinforce key messages and give students ownership of their learning.

Creative Ways to Teach Ocean Conservation in Early Years & Primary Classrooms

Here are some engaging classroom ideas to support ocean conservation learning:

Marine-themed story time – Read books like Somebody Swallowed Stanley, The Brilliant Deep, or Tidy to explore pollution and conservation themes.

Art from recycled materials – Create sea animals or habitats using plastic waste. Link to resources.

Write an ocean pledge – Students write or illustrate their personal promises to help the ocean.

Science experiments – Demonstrate how oil spills affect water and wildlife, or how plastic breaks down over time.

Class discussions – Ask: “Why are sharks important?” or “How can we reduce plastic use at school?”

These activities build on what students experience during an Ocean Life incursion, making conservation education meaningful, memorable, and curriculum-relevant.

Link to Primary Resources

Link to Early Years Resources

Build a Generation of Ocean Protectors

Teaching ocean conservation to kids helps build a generation that values and protects the natural world. When students understand how their choices impact the ocean – and see firsthand the creatures they’re helping – they’re more likely to carry these values into adulthood.

At Ocean Life Education, our goal is to inspire environmental stewardship through engaging, educational experiences that kids will never forget.

Ready to dive into hands-on ocean learning?

Book Your Early Years or Primary School Marine Incursion Today!

Alignment with version 9 Science Curriculum

Human impact is a recurring concept that is embedded within several content areas of Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum. 

About Ocean Life Education

At Ocean Life Education, our mission is to ignite a sense of wonder and respect for Australia’s marine environments in young learners. We deliver fun and interactive programs aligned with Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum, bringing the ocean to life in both classrooms and outdoor settings. Each session is designed to suit the specific needs of your school or event, with a focus on exploring local marine ecosystems.

Students engage with live marine animals and hands-on displays, creating meaningful connections with the natural world. Through fostering curiosity and environmental responsibility, we aim to inspire the next generation to protect our oceans and the incredible biodiversity they contain.

For more information about what we do, check out Ocean Life Education.

We hoped you enjoyed reading our blog: 

Here’s a link to our other curriculum themed blogs

Link to Keep Australia Beautiful  week.

The post Ocean Conservation for Kids: Inspiring Environmental Stewardship in Early Years and Primary Schools appeared first on Ocean Life Education.

Here’s a link to our other news

The post Celebrating the Ocean and Learning through Key School Events appeared first on Ocean Life Education.

Here’s a link to our other news

The post School’s Guide to Ocean Events 2025 appeared first on Ocean Life Education.

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

Here’s a link to our other news

The post Get Set for World Ocean Day Australia 2024 appeared first on Ocean Life Education.

copyright: Australian Environmental Education

We hoped you enjoyed reading our blog – Celebrating World Wetlands Day in Australia!

Useful links…

World Wetlands Day Official Website

World Wetlands Day Video Link 2024

Guide to Marine Habitats

Here’s a link to our other news

The post Celebrating World Wetlands Day in Australia appeared first on Ocean Life Education.

UN Ocean Decade Conference, Spain. April 10-12 2024

Three years after the initiation of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), this worldwide conference is scheduled to unite the Ocean Decade community and its partners. The event aims to commemorate accomplishments and collaboratively establish future priorities for advancing the goals of the Decade. More info

World Oceans Day: 8 June 2024

The focal point of the 2024 United Nations World Oceans Day is ” Catalyzing Action for Our Ocean & Climate.” The annual day seeks to renewd enthusiasm for the conservation and protection of the ocean and our vast blue planet as a whole. Official Guide  Activity ideas for schools

World Sea Turtle Day: 16 June 2024

World Sea Turtle Day is celebrated on 16 June annually as it is the birthday of Dr. Archie Carr, the so-called “father of sea turtle biology.”  His research highlighted the plight of sea turtles and drove community support to protect them and celebrate them annually on World Sea Turtle Day. Turtle facts

Plastic Free July

Plastic Free July is a global movement that encourages individuals, communities, and businesses to reduce their plastic usage during the month of July. The initiative aims to raise awareness about the environmental impact of single-use plastics and inspire people to make conscious efforts to minimize their plastic consumption.

Participants in Plastic Free July commit to avoiding the use of single-use plastics such as plastic bags, bottles, straws, and packaging for the entire month. The campaign provides resources, tips, and challenges to help individuals make sustainable choices, adopt plastic-free habits, and contribute to reducing plastic pollution.

Shark Awareness Day: 14 July 2024

Sharks get a huge amount of bad press, yet on average one person is killed by a shark in Australia each year and heaps more are killed by horses and cows!! Without sharks in Australian waters, many ecosystems would not be sustainable, and we would be denied the pleasure of exploring amazing underwater habitats such as the world’s largest natural wonder, Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef. The impact on tourism and economies would be huge. Shark Awareness Day aims to separate fact from myth and promote a positive image for these amazing creatures. Shark resources.

Coastcare Week 2024

Coastcare comprises volunteers from Australia who are passionate about safeguarding our remarkable coastal and marine environments. These individuals unite as one, forming a formidable force of 500 groups across Australia. Together, these groups actively contribute to making a substantial impact through sustained, practical solutions to address environmental issues in their respective localities. Coastcare Week serves as an annual campaign dedicated to celebrating the remarkable efforts of these community groups throughout Australia. The theme for National Volunteer Week 2024 is ‘Something for Everyone’. More info

Check out our Annual Events Calendar for even more great reasons to celebrate the ocean in 2024.

Bring Learning to Life With A Live Marine Animal Program

Why not book in an Ocean Life Education program to compliment your teaching and bring it all to life. All programs are delivered by qualified Marine Educators with a passion for the ocean. They provide a lively, fun, and interactive experience with our live marine animals and are designed to educate and inspire schools and community to protect our precious marine environment.

We hoped you enjoyed reading our School’s Guide to Key Ocean Events in 2024!

Here’s a link to our other news

The post School’s Guide to Key Ocean Events in 2024 appeared first on Ocean Life Education.

So, what’s all this about? What is Ocean Literacy? Ocean literacy is an understanding of the ocean’s influence on you – and the influence that you have on the ocean.

When we understand the ocean we can begin to comprehend how its works, giving us the information we need to take measures to protect it. Education is at the heart of ocean literacy and this is where we as educators play a crucial role in inspiring people young and old to want to take action and make a difference, transforming ocean knowledge into action. Here’s our guide to teaching Ocean Literacy at schools…

Who Developed the Ocean Literacy Principles?

The Ocean Literacy Principles were developed in 2004 through an international community-wide consultation, with agreement with hundreds of scientists, educators and policy makers. The original purpose of the campaign was to address the lack of ocean related content in schools in the US.

The fundamental aim of the Ocean Literacy Principles is that every human being should understand basic principles about the ocean by the time they graduate high school, thus creating an ‘ocean-literate’ society.

What is the Goal of the Ocean Literacy Principles?

UNESCO has set the following goal for the 7 Ocean Literacy Principles as:

“Ocean Literacy is included in curriculum frameworks of all 193 UNESCO Member States by 2025”.

What are The Ocean Literacy Principles?

 The Ocean Literacy Principles are:

1. The Earth has one big ocean with many features
2. The ocean and life in the ocean shape the features of Earth
3. The ocean is a major influence on weather and climate
4. The ocean made the Earth habitable
5. The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems
6. The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected
7. The ocean is largely unexplored

What Does Being Ocean Literate Mean?

 Being Ocean Literate Means:

1. Understanding the essential principles and fundamental concepts about the ocean
2. Communicating about the ocean in a meaningful way
3. Being able to make informed and responsible decisions regarding the ocean and its resources

Are Many Australians Ocean Literate?

Studies show many Australians are very concerned about the ocean, with ocean plastic being the biggest concern voiced, then overfishing and other human impacts. So a lot of good work is already being done to spread the message that we need to act now to preserve the ocean for the future. Many Australians are ocean literate but a lot more still has to be done as the ocean needs our help.

Teaching Ocean Literacy in Australia

The basic principles of ocean literacy do not fall within traditional science disciplines, they instead focus on integrated science. This is because of the interdisciplinary nature of ocean sciences.

As teachers, it is our responsibility to educate children (and adults) about the ocean in a meaningful way. This can be done under the standard school curriculum themes. Our free primary resources can help you get started, or why not book in an incursion so one of our expert marine educators can teach the children about the ocean using interaction with our live marine animals. Here are some great resources to assist with planning.

Ocean Life Education Programs & Resources

Ocean Literacy resources – Australia focused

UNESCO – Ocean Literacy Teachers Area

Marine Stewardship Council of Australia

World Ocean Day – Plan Your Event

Why is the Health of the Ocean So Important?

The ocean covers most of our planet, it regulates our climate and provides the air we breathe. It also feeds us, provides jobs and livelihoods and is a tool for economic development, as well as being fun to play in! We humans need a healthy ocean in order to survive. So, the health of the ocean is critically important to us.

Click image to download PDF.

Read our blog – 10 reasons why we depend on our ocean

Further resources

OceansIQ

Ocean and Climate Literacy – Essential principles and fundamental concepts

UNESCO – Ocean Literacy for All

The post Guide to Teaching Ocean Literacy in Australia appeared first on Ocean Life Education.

Australia’s SeaWeek is celebrated throughout the country at the beginning of March each year. The initiative aims to spotlight community awareness, inform, and foster an appreciation for the sea. This is a fascinating topic and a great basis for exploring all things relating to the ocean in schools and childcare settings. So, here is some background information plus 20 teaching activities for SeaWeek that will engage and inspire kids to want to learn more about and protect the ocean. Read on for our teaching activities for SeaWeek.

Why is the Ocean a Defining Feature of Our Planet?

The ocean is the defining physical feature on our planet Earth as it covers most of the earth’s surface – around 70% in fact.

It is also home to the majority of life on earth and responsible for around 70% of the oxygen we breath, as well as absorbtion of carbon dioxide, climate regulation, jobs, food, waste removal, , marine transport, medicine, travel, recreation and fun. We could go on…

Do we say Ocean or Oceans?

Many people ask the question, “Do we say ocean or oceans”?  The answer is that there is just one ocean, which contains many ocean basins, such as the North Pacific, South Pacific, North Atlantic, South Atlantic, Indian, Southern and Arctic. So, we should say ‘the ocean’ rather than ‘the oceans’.

What is SeaWeek Australia?

SeaWeek Australia started in 1987 at the Marine Discovery Centre, Queenscliff, Victoria. It began as an art competition that was promoted in all states of Australia and was accompanied by an educational kit consisting of marine activities and information brochures. Today SeaWeek Australia is a major public awareness campaign focusing on encouraging an understanding of and appreciation for the ocean and all things related to it. The campaign is promoted by the Australian Association for Environmental Education (AAEE) – see link below.

20 Teaching Activities for SeaWeek

Schools and educators can use SeaWeek Australia as a focal point for studies accross a wide range of curriculum themes. Or they can simply use the event to inspire children through fun based ocean themed activities. Here are 20 teaching activities for SeaWeek to get you started…

Early Learning Teaching Activities for SeaWeek Australia

1. Decorate your classroom or childcare setting
2. Read an ocean book like The Singing Mermaid or The Snail & the Whale by Julia Donaldson
3. Host an ocean themed coloring or drawing competition or SeaWeek Poster Competition
4. Colouring-in Competition
5. Create an ocean in an egg carton
6. Create an ocean sensory bin with ice
7. Make your own socktopus
8. Paint a puffer fish
9. Make egg carton ocean animals
10. Organise an ocean themed incursion – why not book one of our interactive Programs to give the kids a real hands-on experience of marine creatures with our lively team of animals!

Link to EARLY LEARNING RESOURCES

Primary School Teaching Activities for SeaWeek

1. Launch a Plastic- free class challenge – no plastic in lunch boxes for a day, then maybe extend to a week
2. Create a plastic diary
3. Plastic ocean cycle activity – using our free infographic
4. Organise a field trip to the beach to explore
5. Organize a beach clean (& BBQ?) with prizes
6. Habitat and adaptation activity
7. Classification activity
8. Organise an ocean themed incursion – why not book one of our interactive PROGRAMS to give the kids a real hands-on experience of marine creatures with our lively team of marine animals!
9. Teach students curriculum topics using our Humpbacks online teaching resources.
10. Fundraise for a local ocean focused charity – on the Sunshine Coast that could be: Coolum & North Shore Coast Care, Ocean Crusaders or Sea Shepherd.

Link to PRIMARY RESOURCES

Further reading

SeaWeek Official Website – packed with useful info and resources

UNESCO Ocean Literacy PORTAL

OCEAN EVENTS CALENDAR

BLOG – 10 REASONS WHY WE NEED OUR OCEAN

The post 20 Teaching Activities for SeaWeek appeared first on Ocean Life Education.

Threatened Australian Marine Species

Australia is home to an incredible diversity of marine species. Unfortunately, today a number of Australia’s marine species are registered as threatened and in need of protection. Understanding these threats is the key to inspiring action to protect them, so educating school-aged students (plus the general population!) is crucial.

The following Australian marine species are threatened:

Australian sea lions, dugongs, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, blue fin tuna, whales & sawfish as well as leatherback, loggerhead and the olive ridley turtle.

Threats to Marine Animals

The main threats to marine animals come from humans in the form of:

• Ocean noise
• Ship strikes
• Climate change
• Entanglement in fishing gear
• Plastics and ocean debris
• Over-fishing
• Irresponsible fishing practices

How Can You Protect Marine Animals?

If we look at these threats one by one, it is interesting to note that as individuals we can actually make a difference to all of them. Take ocean noise and ship strikes, we can ensure that when we travel the ocean we do so with competent crew or that if we are the crew, we are mindful of the threats we may pose and take steps to respect the marine environment to the best of our ability. By reducing our unnecessary carbon and single use plastic usage, we can contribute to reducing that threat. As for stray fishing gear and irresponsible practices, we can vote with our feet and try and ensure that we buy seafood that is caught in a responsible manner and pick up any debris we see on the beach or in our waterways. With a little effort from us all, we can make a difference and protect marine animals.

Endangered or Threatened Species?

A threatened species is defined as any plant or animal species that is at risk of extinction. In Queensland, threatened species are classified under the following classes:

Extinct, Extinct in the wild, Critically endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable

Therefore, endangered species means threatened species!

Activities for Endangered Species Day

• Read an article or book about an endangered species; discuss why it’s endangered and examine ideas to help protect it
• Go on a beach walk and discuss habitats, human impact and how marine animals rely on a healthy environment to survive. Ocean Life Education would be happy to guide a tour for your students.
• Have a class discussion about plastic usage and get the class to focus on their own usage using our free resources (click image for more downloadable activities)

• Schedule an Ocean Life Education incursion focusing on endangered species, why they are endangered, what is being done to help, and how our everyday actions make a difference.
• Here is an outline of our Human Impact incursion. Click the images to find out more…

Incursion: Human Impact – The Earth Under Threat

Further Reading

Free Ocean Life Education Resources and Activities

Endangered Species Resources and Curriculum Ideas

Shark Resources & Threats

The post What is Endangered Species Day? appeared first on Ocean Life Education.

Earth Day is a global action to protect the planet. It’s happening on 22 April this year. The theme for Earth Day 2022 is ‘Invest in Our Planet’. That’s not about spending money! It’s about putting effort into accelerating the great work that is already being done to combat climate change and clean up our home. It’s all about everyone taking ownership and doing their bit. Sometimes the task seems overwhelming, but we can all take action in our own lives that joined together will make a big difference to the planet. So don’t despair, it’s exciting to think what we can achieve together and how much fun we can have along the way. Here are some easy ideas to get involved, because no one is too small to make a difference!

Join a Queensland Beach Clean – or Organise One For Your School

Recent events here on the Sunshine Coast have shown what a force our communities are when they set to work together on a beach clean. Huge storms have landed load of debris and plastics on our beautiful beaches. But we haven’t sat back and watched it happen. Instead, our local communities have taken to the beaches with bags and helped cleaned up.

Unfortunately, there is still much more to do but people are uniting to make it happen. One person with one bag could easily make a big difference to one turtle! 

Beach cleans are probably the largest environmental volunteer event in history. So, grab a bag (a biodegradable doggie poop bag will do!), grab your mates, and get on down to the beach and be part of history! You could even have a competition to win some lollies if you collect the most trash.

Take Action: 

Get Involved in a Beach Clean on the Sunshine Coast

Get involved in a Beach Clean Near Brisbane

Fundraise to Support a Queensland Coast Care Charity

There are plenty of Queensland coast care charities to choose. On the Sunshine Coast there’s Coolum Coast Care, or there’s Great Barrier Reef Foundation and Sea Shepherd.

Ocean Crusaders operate around Brisbane too.

Take Action

How about a sponsored swim or a shark drawing competition to raise money for your favorite Queensland coast care charity? Just ask and they are sure to want to help you get started.

Plant Trees

Trees and forests are one of our most powerful tools to combat climate change and provide food and habitat for the species of the world. But our planet is currently losing trees at a staggering rate. In fact, about 27 soccer fields of forest are lost every minute. 

Trees are amazing and filter the air and protect us from climate change. They also keep our land healthy and provide food, energy and income to communities. What’s not to like about trees? So, why not plant trees yourself? (in a designated area obviously!!)

Take Action

Plant your own tree or Donate to plant a tree

The Usual Stuff

Of course, you can always be doing all the usual stuff to make the world a cleaner place, like reducing your use of plastics, reducing your carbon footprint and energy consumption, making sustainable seafood choices and enjoying the ocean responsibly.

 Further reading –  ‘How Can I Protect the Ocean‘ 

Educators & Schools

 We have some great FREE ocean resources and activities on our website in our Human Impact section, including: Plastic Diaries, Plastic Ocean Life Cycles, Human Impact Presentations and more.

Or why not book an incursion so we can come in with our team and inspire the kids with a live marine animal program?

The post Earth Day 2022 – How to Get Involved appeared first on Ocean Life Education.