High School Education Programs

Adaptations & Evolution

During this education session students will be introduced to the basics of DNA, mutations, natural selection and the role these play in both evolution and adaptations. Serving as a comprehensive introduction, or a perfect recap, this session engages students with real-life examples that they can see in authentic marine artefacts and within the attraction. Education session content will vary between year levels. By completing this session students will:

• Learn the basic structure of DNA
• Understand what type of mutations can occur in DNA and how.
• Understand how natural selection occurs and why.
• Understand the relationship and difference between evolution and adaptations.
• Understand the different types of adaptations and how they occur.
• Be able to recognise adaptations in animals and explain the advantage they provide.

Marine Careers

Are your students intrigued by the wonders of the ocean? Do they dream of exploring the shallows and depths of the sea? If so, then this presentation is for you. 

Join us as we delve into the fascinating and fast-growing world of Marine Science and uncover the diverse array of career opportunities. From marine biology to oceanography, this presentation will provide you with a brief overview of the exciting paths you can pursue in this dynamic field after leaving high school. In this lesson, you can expect to:

• Gain insights into why you should consider marine science as a career
• Learn about the different career pathways available
• Discover which high school subjects are essential for building a strong foundation in marine science. From English to Chemistry, we'll explore how each subject contributes to your understand of marine science and prepare you for further study in the field. 
• Learn the importance of gaining hands-on experience through internships and volunteering opportunities and how they can provide valuable insights into various aspects of the industry. 

Antarctica

A mix of early Antarctic exploration and polar ecosystems, this lesson takes your students on a journey to the Earth’s harshest habitat. Not only will they be regaled with the story of Robert Falcon Scott and his part in the race to the South Pole, they will also learn about sub-Antarctic species and their unique adaptations to the cold. Students will be engaged every step of the way with artefacts from the ‘age of exploration’ as well as artefacts from our penguin colony. Education session content will vary between year levels. By completing this session students will:

• Know who Robert Falcon Scott was and the role he played in Antarctic exploration
• Understand how early exploration has contributed to modern day climate change research.
• Learn about the Antarctic Treaty and what it means.
• Learn about the environmental conditions of polar habitats.
• Recognise specific adaptations that animals living in polar regions have in order to survive the harsh conditions.
• Understand the threats facing polar habitats and the animals that live there, as well as ways that we can all help protect these regions.

Weird and Wonderful

Welcome to "Weird and Wonderful", an exploration of the extraordinary adaptations found in the marine environment. While we often hear about basic adaptations like the protective shells of sea turtles or the sharp teeth of sharks, nature has crafted an array of bizarre and fascinating strategies that go far beyond these common traits. In this lesson, we will delve into some of the truly unusual and ingenious ways animals have evolved to survive and thrive in their environment.  

From having different types of blood, having more than one jaw or even glowing in the dark, these adaptations are just some examples of the incredible diversity of life on Earth. We'll examine how these unique traits help animals find food, escape predators, and cope of the challenges of their habitats.