prue franciS
Cultivating Ocean Literacy for the Great Southern Reef
Growing up far from the ocean in country Victoria, Prue Francis's fascination with water was sparked not by the vast expanses of the sea but by the humble streams and ponds that dotted her childhood landscape. "I was always drawn to water," she recalls, "even the smallest puddle or creek would capture my imagination." Whether it was fishing with her family, swimming in the local river, or simply observing the gentle flow of water, these early experiences laid the foundation for a lifelong connection to aquatic environments.
A family trip around Australia, snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo, ignited a spark that would shape her career. At the age of 14, while looking up to her marine biologist guide, she turned to her father and declared, 'I'm going to do something like that one day.'" From these humble beginnings, Prue Francis now stands at the forefront of ocean literacy and marine conservation, engaging students, educators, and the wider community. As we delve further into her story, we'll explore how Francis’ work is shaping the future of the Great Southern Reef, inspiring a new generation of ocean stewards, and contributing to the vital restoration of marine ecosystems.
The Evolution of an Ocean Educator
While dolphins initially captured Francis' imagination as a teenager, it was the unassuming world of seaweed that eventually became her true calling. Her academic journey culminated in a PhD focused on the dispersal capabilities of a common intertidal seaweed of the Great Southern Reef, Neptune's necklace. This species, with its distinctive appearance and ecological significance, remains to this day her favourite, acting as an indicator for stressed marine environments.
Alongside her research, Francis became involved in teaching at the undergraduate level, where she discovered her love for sharing knowledge and igniting passion in others. This love for teaching led her to become a high school teacher for several years, followed by a role as an education coordinator at an aquarium on the Great Barrier Reef.
Francis’ experience in the tourism industry highlighted the importance of extending knowledge beyond the scientific community and the potential for influencing public perception and behaviour regarding the ocean. When she returned to academia and research, she saw an opportunity to integrate her seaweed research with her educational background. This integration allowed her to explore the impact of ocean education on behaviour change, marking the beginning of her work in ocean literacy. Her unique combination of research interests and educational experience has positioned her to contribute significantly to both scientific understanding and public awareness of marine environments.
The Great Southern Reef Picture Book
Prue Francis and her colleague Paul Venzo identified a gap in the educational materials available about the GSR, particularly for younger audiences. While the Great Barrier Reef often takes centre stage in Australia's marine education, the Great Southern Reef's ecological importance and unique biodiversity were underrepresented. Francis wanted to change that. Her research evaluating ocean literacy across schools in Australia revealed the potential impact of picture books.
In their pursuit to make marine science accessible and engaging for all, Francis and Venzo embarked on a unique project: creating a picture book about the Great Southern Reef. This initiative was born out of her recognition that visual storytelling could be a powerful tool to reach a broader audience, including young children and families.
Francis’ hope for the picture book is that it will serve as a gateway to the Great Southern Reef for those who may never have the chance to explore it in person. She believes that by fostering a connection to the reef through storytelling and art, readers will be more inclined to care for and protect this vital ecosystem. The book is also intended to be a resource for educators, providing a tool that can be integrated into classroom learning.
Igniting Passion
Prue Francis’ approach to education is both innovative and hands-on. Working closely with schools, she has developed tailored programs that bring the ocean into the classroom. Through interactive workshops, field trips, and collaborative projects, she introduces students to marine biology with a local emphasis, focusing on the kelp forests of the Great Southern Reef.
Her work in ocean literacy extends beyond the traditional boundaries of education. It's not just about imparting knowledge; it's about shaping attitudes and behaviours. Francis believes that understanding the ocean is not just about learning facts and figures; it's about fostering a sense of stewardship and responsibility. She says, 'It's about helping students understand their connection to the ocean and the impact they can have.'
This philosophy is reflected in her teaching methods. She doesn't just tell students about the ocean; she shows them. Whether it's a hands-on examination of seaweed, a fish dissection, field trip to a coastal area, or a collaborative project that requires students to think critically about marine conservation, Francis’ approach is designed to engage students on multiple levels.
Creating Ocean Stewards
One of Prue Francis’ most memorable experiences comes from her seaweed incursion workshops for high school and primary school students. In these workshops, she begins by asking the students to close their eyes and describe the first word that comes to mind when they think of seaweed. The initial responses are often negative, with words like "slimy" and "stinky." But over the course of an hour and a half, through hands-on activities like touching fresh seaweed, exploring it under microscopes, and creating seaweed art, the students' perceptions begin to change. When asked the same question at the end of the workshop, new words emerge, such as "diverse," "beautiful," and "important."
This shift in perception, achieved in just a short amount of time, highlights the transformative power of education. Francis reflects on this change, seeing it as a testament to the impact that can be made by connecting students with the natural world and turning something perceived as unpleasant into something appreciated for its complexity and beauty.
Image (below) Tess Hoinville
Creativity in Education
Francis emphasises the importance of creativity in education, particularly through art. She reflects on the transformative power of art in her educational programs, saying, "Art has been something that we've found to be incredibly effective. Whether it's students drawing their perceptions of the reef before and after our workshops or creating seaweed art, it's a way to engage them on a different level.
From Classroom to Community
The success of Prue Francis’ work is evident in the positive feedback from students, teachers, and educational institutions. Her ability to make marine science accessible and engaging has not only enhanced students' understanding but also sparked curiosity and passion for the subject. Many students have reported a newfound interest in marine biology, environmental conservation, and even career aspirations in related fields.
Moreover, her work has had a broader impact on families and communities. Her programs have spurred discussions and actions beyond the classroom, reflecting a growing recognition of the values of kelp forests and conserving local marine ecosystems. Families and communities are getting involved, and schools are taking extra initiatives, Francis proudly shares, "Some of these schools were undertaking extra activities and community engagement opportunities to showcase the work that they've been doing in the classroom about the Great Southern Reef which really highlights to us that they're not just learning, they're wanting to get the message out there to conserve and protect our marine environment."
Ocean Literacy
Prue Francis’ vision for ocean literacy emphasises the importance of connecting informal education providers, such as aquariums and Discovery Centers, with the formal school system in Australia. She sees a wealth of untapped potential in this collaboration, allowing for a richer and more diverse educational experience that draws on the unique insights and perspectives of various stakeholders."I think connecting informal providers to the formal school system is key to moving ocean literacy forward in Australia," she says.
Francis believes ocean literacy is more than just adding another subject to an already crowded curriculum; it's about weaving ocean education into existing subjects. For example a local school is pioneering a program where the entire year level integrates ocean studies. Reflecting on this pioneering program, Francis enthuses, 'By weaving ocean themes into every subject and creating a special hub within the school for this focus the school will be really embracing ocean education."
Collaborative Cultivation
In her current role, Francis is actively involved in the cultivation and restoration of golden kelp in Port Phillip Bay. At the Deakin facility in Queenscliff, she and her team are trialling the growth of the early life stages of golden kelp, experimenting with both gravel and twine as substrates. This process, which they affectionately refer to as growing "kelplings," takes about eight weeks. In the intricate process of seaweed cultivation, nurturing the gametophyte culture is a delicate and essential step. Once the kelp reaches the desired stage, it is handed over to The Nature Conservancy, where divers plant them out in the bay.
The restoration project, undertaken in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy and key partners including Deakin University, Parks Victoria, and the University of Melbourne, is a multifaceted initiative that goes beyond merely growing and planting kelp. It also involves monitoring the progress and planning for future deployments. Francis emphasises the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, stating, “I think restoration has to be collaborative. And that's the one thing I'm excited about being involved in this project is the multidisciplinary approach that we're all being able to bring to this project”. Generously funded by the Victorian Government's Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, the project has attracted interest from local organisations and citizen scientists, eager to contribute to the restoration efforts.
Francis also highlights the broader challenges and strategies related to restoration. While the active restoration of kelp is vital, she acknowledges the need for a more comprehensive approach, including mitigating ocean warming and improving water quality. Another project, funded by the Port Phillip Bay Fund will involve biobanking efforts, where biomaterial from declining kelps is stored for future use in active restoration. This ensures that localised populations are preserved, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient restoration strategy.
A Crucial Crossroads
Prue Francis's optimism about the future of the kelp forests of the Great Southern Reef is tempered by a sense of urgency and concern. She acknowledges that the next five years are critical for implementing quick mitigations to conserve and protect these vital ecosystems. While the Great Southern Reef holds immense value for those who interact with it directly, Francis worries that for many, its importance remains "out of sight, out of mind." She fears that widespread recognition of the reef's economic and ecological significance may come too late.
However, she also expresses hope, particularly through initiatives like the GSRF, that awareness and value can be driven to foster a connection with more people living along the coastline. As an educator, she has been instrumental in promoting understanding and inspiring action, not just through scientific research but also through community engagement and political advocacy. She calls for stronger climate change targets at a national level, improved water quality management in highly urbanised areas, and dedicated funding for research and restoration. She emphasises that these efforts must begin now, as delay will only make conservation more challenging in the future. Her vision for the Great Southern Reef is one of proactive stewardship, where government, scientists, and the community work together to ensure the protection and sustainability of this unique marine environment.
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