Tag Archives: marine science primary school Australia

Humpback Whale Adaptations: Fun Learning Activities for Schools

Humpback Whales for Schools

 

Humpback whales are one of Australia’s most iconic ocean visitors – and perfect for helping students explore how animals adapt to survive in their environments. With their incredible annual migration along Australia’s coasts, unique feeding behaviours and specialised physical features, humpbacks offer rich, hands-on learning opportunities that support the Australian Curriculum’s focus on biological sciences and understanding how living things adapt, grow and survive.

Below is a guide to humpback whale adaptations, plus simple, engaging activities that you can run in the classroom to bring ocean science to life.

Check out our educational programs that support this curriculum learning.

Link to whale resources here.

Humpback Whale Fast FactsHumpback Whale Anatomy

  • Species of baleen whale
  • Gets its name from the hump on its’ back
  • Distinctive shape – long pectoral fins and a knobbly head
  • Black on the upper (dorsal) side and black and white on the under (ventral) side
  • Ventral pleats run from the tip of the lower jaw to the belly
  • Dorsal fin on the back for stability
  • The shape and colour on the dorsal (upper) fin and tail is unique to each whale, like human fingerprints

 

Why Humpback Whales Are a Powerful Adaptation Example

Each year, humpback whales travel up to 10,000 km along Australia’s east coast – one of the longest migrations on the planet. Their journey from Antarctica to Queensland and back again highlights how animals rely on physical and behavioural adaptations to thrive in different environments.

Studying humpback whales helps learners develop:

🐋An understanding of how animals adapt to survive

🐋Observation and comparison skills

🐋Curiosity about marine ecosystems

🐋Awareness of ocean conservation and human impact

Key Humpback Whale Adaptations

  1. Blubber – A Built-In Heater

Humpbacks have a thick layer of blubber that keeps them warm in freezing Antarctic waters. It also provides energy when they stop feeding in warmer waters during migration.

Try it:
Blubber Glove Experiment – Students place a hand inside a bag surrounded by fat to feel how insulation works.

 

  1. Baleen Plates – The Ultimate Filter-Feeder Humpback Whale Baleen

Humpbacks are baleen whales, meaning they feed by filtering tiny shrimp-like creatures through fringed plates of long, fingernail-like material called baleen, attached to their upper jaws.

 

Try it:
Baleen Sieve Activity – Use a comb or colander with water and small floating items (e.g., lentils or bits of paper) to mimic how baleen traps food.

 

  1. Flippers and Flukes – Built for Swimming

Humpbacks have long pectoral fins – the largest of any whale – which help with turning, gliding and acrobatic manoeuvres.

The tail has two lobes known as flukes . Whales tails are horizontal and move up and down, unlike a fish’s tail (shown) which is vertical and moves from side to side.

Try it:
Flipper Paper Plane Challenge – Make paper “whales” with long and short fins and compare which glides further.

 

  1. Migration Behaviour – A Survival Strategy Humpback Whale Migration Map

Travelling thousands of kilometres ensures humpbacks can feed in Antarctica and breed in warm northern waters.

Try it:
Migration Map Tracking – Plot their journey on a large classroom map, noting resting spots, danger zones and feeding grounds. Bring it to life with a local focus.

Humpback Whale Migration Calendar

Where to see the Humpback Whales Migration on East Coast Australia

 

  1. Songs and Communication – Finding Each Other in the Deep

Male humpbacks sing complex songs that travel long distances underwater, helping them communicate during migration.

Try it:
Sound Wave Demo – Use tuning forks, water bowls or elastic bands to explore how sound travels differently through solids, liquids and air.

Wrap-Up: Bringing Science and the Ocean Together

Adaptation activities centred on humpback whales not only support learning in biological sciences but also build curiosity, empathy and environmental awareness. By exploring how these amazing animals survive and thrive, students gain a deeper appreciation of Australia’s ocean ecosystems – and the role humans play in protecting them.

If you’d like more hands-on ocean learning experiences, Ocean Life Education offers curriculum-aligned programs designed to inspire and engage.

More Humpback Whale Resources

Learn More About Humpback Whales with our online course

🧭 Local Learning Experiences

Take advantage of the humpback whale migration along the East Coast of Australia. From May to November, students may be able to see whales from shore or on a local eco-tour.

Consider planning:

🐳 A virtual whale-watching tour

🐳 An incursion with Ocean Life Education

🐳 A field trip/ excursion to a local coastal lookout

About Ocean Life Education Ocean Life Education

At Ocean Life Education, we’re all about helping Australians connect with the ocean and understand why it matters. Through engaging, hands-on learning experiences, we explore Australia’s diverse marine environments, the incredible creatures that live there, and the real-world challenges our oceans are facing.

Our interactive programs are curriculum-aligned and designed to make learning meaningful and memorable – whether it’s in the classroom, during an event, or through immersive field-based experiences. Every session is customised to suit your school or group, with an emphasis on local marine ecosystems, human impact, and conservation.

From up-close marine displays featuring real ocean animals to dynamic learning activities, our programs encourage curiosity, deepen understanding, and inspire students to take action. Above all, we aim to empower young people to value our oceans and feel confident about playing a role in protecting them for the future.

📚 Recommended Resources & Useful Links

Primary Incursions & Excursions

Primary Resources & Activities

Ocean Life Education’s Whale Resources

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

We hoped you enjoyed reading our blog: Humpback Whale Adaptations: Fun Learning Activities for Schools

Ocean Conservation for Kids: Inspiring Environmental Stewardship in Early Years and Primary Schools

Ocean Conservation

 

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? School Ocean Event

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 Ocean Life Education 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.

Teaching Kids About Sharks: Their Crucial Role in Ocean Ecosystems

 

When we ask kids about sharks, their first response is often fear or fascination. Either way, they are often very passionate about the subject, which provides a great basis for learning. Sharks play a crucial role in ocean ecosystems, making them an ideal subject for cross-curricular learning in primary classrooms – integrating science, geography, literacy, and citizenship.

Sharks play a crucial role in ocean ecosystems, making them an ideal subject for cross-curricular learning in primary classrooms—integrating science, geography, literacy, and citizenship

🌊 Why Sharks Matter in Ocean Ecosystems

reef shark great barrier reef

Courtesy Whitsunday News

Sharks are apex predators. As top-level predators, they help maintain the balance of marine life, supporting the health of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and other critical habitats. Without sharks, our ocean ecosystems can become unstable, leading to the overpopulation of some species and the collapse of others.

Link: Ocean Life Education Video – Why We Need Sharks

🦈 Sharks are Guardians of the Ocean

Movies and myths often cast sharks as villains, but they’re essential guardians of the ocean. Teaching kids about sharks helps bust common myths and builds respect for these incredible animals. It also opens up conversations around the marine food chain, shark conservation, and the importance of protecting ocean biodiversity.

Shark Resources from Ocean Life Education

🔍 What Role Do Sharks Play in the Ecosystem? Why we Depend on the Ocean

  1. Balance Marine Populations
    Sharks regulate the populations of prey species like rays and smaller fish, preventing them from overgrazing critical habitats like seagrass and coral reefs.
  2. Support Ocean Biodiversity
    By preying on weak or sick individuals, sharks help keep marine species healthy, promoting genetic strength and ecological balance.
  3. Drive Evolution
    Sharks influence the behaviour and evolution of other marine animals. Their presence encourages adaptive traits and survival strategies in prey species. Watch our Shark Adaptation Mini Video here and check out our Adaptation themed programs.
  4. Indicate Ocean Health
    A thriving shark population is a key sign of a healthy ocean. Sharp declines in shark numbers often signal wider problems in the marine food web, with long-term consequences for both wildlife and human communities.

 

📚 Cross-Curricular Classroom Connections

Teaching about sharks links to several key areas of the version 9 Australian Curriculum:

Science (Biological Sciences): Study food chains, life cycles, animal adaptations, and ocean habitats. See our Primary Incursions with these themes.

Geography: Explore the distribution of shark species and the environmental conditions they need.

English: Inspire persuasive writing, shark fact files, and conservation-themed research projects. See our Ocean Literacy Incursions.

Civics & Citizenship: Discuss human impact on marine environments and ethical issues such as East Coast Australia’s shark nets, shark finning and overfishing.

 

🧠 Shark-Themed Learning Activities sand tiger shark

Use these ideas to bring Shark Awareness Day or any ocean unit to life:

🌐 Create a shark food web to show energy flow in ocean ecosystems.

🔍 Research shark species, comparing their roles, habitats, and adaptations such as shark teeth. Watch our shark teeth video here.

📢 Host a Shark Awareness Day where students present posters, speeches, or science reports.

⚖️ Debate topics like the use of shark nets on the East Coast of Australia or shark finning.

🎨 Design posters promoting shark conservation for kids and families.

Book a shark focused Primary Incursion with Ocean Life Education

🐠 Shark Resources and Programs

Explore our Shark Discovery Program for Early Years – hands-on, interactive learning for young ocean lovers.

Dive into our Primary School Programs, which can be tailored to explore shark roles in healthy ocean ecosystems.

Download shark resources and teaching aids and printable resources to support your lesson planning.

Take our online Shark Course – Amazing Sharks – learn the facts and get certified!

 

🌱 Inspiring Future Ocean Guardians

Teaching kids that sharks are not to be feared, but respected and protected, helps shape a generation of informed, compassionate global citizens. By exploring sharks’ importance in the marine environment, we can nurture curiosity, boost critical thinking, and encourage action to protect our oceans.

Example alignment version 9 Science Curriculum

Year 4: AC9S4U01 – consumers, producers and decomposers within a habitat, food chains
Year 7: AC9S7U02 – food webs, energy flow in ecosystems, abiotic and biotic factors on populations

About Ocean Life Education Ocean Life Education

Ocean Life Education is committed to inspiring young Australians to appreciate and understand the wonders of our marine environments. Through engaging, hands-on programs that support version 9 of the Australian curriculum, we bring the ocean into classrooms and outdoor learning spaces in a way that’s fun, educational, and memorable. Each experience is tailored to meet the unique needs of your school or event, with a strong focus on local marine topics.

Our sessions feature live marine animals and interactive displays, giving students the chance to connect directly with the natural world. By encouraging curiosity and building environmental awareness, we empower children to take an active role in caring for our oceans and the incredible life they support.

 

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

We hoped you enjoyed reading our blog: Teaching Kids About Sharks: Their Crucial Role in Ocean Ecosystems

Here’s a link to our other curriculum themed blogs

Teaching Humpback Whale Classification: Resources for Primary Schools

Humpback Classification

 

Every year, mainly between May and October, humpback whales migrate along Australia’s East Coast, providing a real-world example for studying classification in the science classroom. These iconic gentle giants really capture students’ imagination and offer the perfect living opportunity to teach key biological concepts like grouping living things, external features, adaptation, and habitats. In this blog, we look at how to use humpback whales to support curriculum-aligned learning for primary students, with a focus on humpback whale classification, adaptations, and marine ecosystems and habitats.

Check out our educational programs that support this curriculum learning.

Link to classification resources here.

🐋 Why Teaching Classification Through Humpback Whales Engages Students

Whales are classified in the order of cetaceans (the same as dolphins and porpoises). Cetaceans are mammals that are adapted to life in the ocean.

Classification helps students understand how scientists can group living things based on their shared or common features. Using an iconic Australian cetacean species like humpback whales connects learning to real life and encourages environmental awareness.

 

A Real-Life Example on our Doorstep

The East Coast of Australia, especially between Hervey Bay, Sydney, and Byron Bay, is one of the best places in the world to observe humpback whales from the shore. Their visible behaviours and impressive size make them an exciting and accessible teaching focus. Students can even do an excursion to the shore to watch the spectacle for themselves as well as learning about humpback whale classification in the classroom.

Find out where to spot humpback whales off East Coast Australia

 

🧠 Key Humpback Whale Classification Concepts to Explore

Humpback taxonomic chain

Kingdom – Animalia

Phylum – Chordata (they have a backbone)

Class – Mammalia (they breathe air, are warm-blooded, and nurse young)

Order – Cetacea (includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises)

Species – Megaptera novaeangliae (humpback whale)

 

Discuss How Whales Differ from Fish:

Classified as mammals not fish…

🐳 Use lungs and blow-holes to breath, not gills

🐳 Warm blooded

🐳 Give birth to live young

Swimming technique…

Whales use their horizontal tail (called a fluke) to swim up and down, while fish use their vertical tail to swim side to side.

Resources

Click here for FREE classification resources and here for our FREE Humpbacks Worksheet for primary aged students.

 

🧰 Classroom Activity Ideas

Compare & Contrast

Look at similarities and differences between whales and other marine creatures like fish and sharks.

Whale Fact File

Students research and present humpback whale facts (habitat, size, diet, threats). The most incredible fact wins!

Adaptation Investigation

Explore how fins, blubber, and streamlined bodies help humpbacks survive in their environment.

Lifecycle Poster

Include the migration route, breeding season (in warmer waters like Queensland), and feeding season (in Antarctic waters).

Resources

Click here for FREE classification resources and here for our FREE Humpbacks Worksheet for primary aged students.

 

🧭 Local Learning Opportunities

Take advantage of the humpback whale migration along the East Coast of Australia. From May to November, students may be able to see whales from shore or on a local eco-tour.

Consider planning:

🐳 A virtual whale-watching tour

🐳 An incursion with Ocean Life Education

🐳 A field trip/ excursion to a local coastal lookout

 

🌱 Encourage Conservation Conversations

Use this unit as a chance to build environmental awareness. Discuss:

  • Plastic pollution and entanglement risks
  • The role of marine parks such as the Great Barrier Reef
  • Discuss why protecting migratory species like humpback whales matters to us in Australia

Check out our Human Impact Programs

🏁 Final Thoughts

By using the captivating journey of humpback whales along Australia’s East Coast, you can bring science to life in your classroom. It’s an engaging, real-world way to teach classification, adaptations, and environmental stewardship – all while meeting curriculum goals.

 

About Ocean Life Education Ocean Life Education

At Ocean Life Education (OLE), we’re passionate about teaching Australian children about the beauty and richness of our marine environments, as well as the challenges they face. We deliver fun, interactive programs that align with the curriculum, bringing learning to life in classrooms and out in the field. Each session is tailored to suit your needs, with a focus on local themes and issues.

Our programs and marine display events showcase real ocean creatures and offer hands-on experiences designed to spark curiosity and build knowledge about marine life and conservation. We aim to inspire students to care about the ocean and feel empowered to help protect it.

📚 Recommended Resources & Useful Links

Primary Incursions & Excursions

Primary Resources & Activities

Ocean Life Education’s Whale Resources

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

We hoped you enjoyed reading our blog: Teaching Humpback Whale Classification: Resources for Primary Schools

Here’s a link to our other  curriculum themed blogs