Welcome to the GSR
EDUCATOR HUB
Welcome to our growing collection of resources tailored to foster Ocean Literacy and nurture a deeper connection with Australia's unique kelp forest ecosystems.
If you are not already, join our Teachers of the Great Southern Reef Facebeook group to interact with our community.
Need help finding something specific? Get in touch with us at info@greatsouthernreef.com
what’s NEW?
The Reviving Giants schools kit centres around a 10 minute Great Southern Reef, showcasing the restoration efforts for Tasmania’s giant kelp forests. This interactive student-led package also explores other restoration efforts across the Great Southern Reef including seagrass, oyster reefs, golden kelp and more.
Years 7 - 8
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Food Web Investigation & Activity
In this lesson series, students delve into the intricate dynamics of Australia’s kelp forest ecosystem, learning about trophic levels, the pivotal role of primary producers, and the complex interrelationships depicted through food chains and webs. Students collect information about marine species and represent their feeding relationships in a food web, using arrows to indicate the transfer of energy.
Download the teacher guide, student instructions and worksheet.
Years 6 - 8
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High School Unit
This Great Southern Reef Teacher Guide offers a comprehensive, engaging, and flexible set of lessons designed to introduce students to Australia’s kelp forests.
Covering topics such as Indigenous connection to the reef, marine research, kelp forest ecology, conservation, and sustainable practices, these resources are perfect for high school students.
The unit is highly adaptable for other age groups, and it integrates multimedia elements like videos, quizzes, and interactive activities, making it easy to engage students in learning both in-class and online.
By fostering critical thinking and hands-on activities, students will explore topics ranging from seaweed’s role as a carbon sink to the pressures on endangered species, leading to a deep understanding of local marine life and how we can protect it.
Years 7 - 10
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hands-on with Endangered Species
This lesson on endangered species, focusing on the rare and captivating handfish, offers an immersive way for students to explore conservation efforts and the impact of invasive species on marine life.
It covers critical topics like the IUCN Red List, endangered species such as the grey nurse shark and handfish and invites students to engage with hands-on activities. They will create conservation campaigns, design street art inspired by marine species, and develop innovative solutions for managing invasive species like the Northern Pacific Seastar.
Through videos, discussions, and creative projects, students will gain a deep understanding of how scientists are working to protect these fragile ecosystems. The mix of science, art, and real-world problem-solving makes this lesson both educational and engaging, encouraging students to become future stewards of marine life.
Download the teacher guide and student led worksheets.
Years 7 - 10
quick download links
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stock imagery and footage
Download a collection of high res underwater and aerial photos and videos free to use for educational purposes.
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Totem Cards
Download a deck of Pokemon inspired GSR marine life themed cards for use in food webs and classification activities.
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Student Booklet
Download and print out this student booklet, ready to go!
The Great Southern Reef Foundation has partnered with Google Arts & Culture to create a visually stimulating page about seaweeds.
Check out this lesson plan designed to support students as they explore Google Arts & Culture stories related to the Great Southern Reef. This lesson is suitable for anyone but is recommended for students aged 10-14 years
kelp, the invisible forest
more resources
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Porci’s Ocean Patrol
Porci’s Ocean Patrol is a collection of short, beautifully animated videos that educates students about the Great Southern Reef. Porci’s Ocean Patrol is a Marine Discovery Centre project and can be accessed on YouTube and the Marine Discovery Centre website. Click here for student activities and resources.
Years R - 4
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mesophotic reefs
Nestled in the twilight zone of the ocean, mesophotic reefs present a mysterious and less explored area between the well-lit shallow waters and the dark abysses. These unique ecosystems, found at depths of 30 to 150 metres, are treasure troves of biodiversity, hosting an array of life forms adapted to low-light conditions. Leveraging the technology of Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVS), in this new resource and video students will get an up-close look at the mesophotic zones' inhabitants through recently captured video footage.
Year 6
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sharks and rays
The GSR is home to a rich diversity of shark and ray species. This lesson package gives science students a unique opportunity to view and analyse video footage of sharks and rays recently collected by scientists in State and Commonwealth Marine Parks using BRUVS (Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems) technology.
Year 7
TEACHERS BOOKLET FOR
OCEAN LITERACY in primary schools
This guide is for primary school teachers using children’s literature to teach marine science in schools. The booklet includes background information, useful links and activity guides to create an interactive and fun unit focussed on the GSR!
GSR THEMED PICTURE BOOK CORNER
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THE GREAT southern reef
This book inspires kids to explore the nature at their local beaches, connecting them to familiar marine environments, introducing the concept of the GSR through Frankie, Sam and Professor Seaweed.
Aimed at year 1-4 students, CSIRO Publishing have created these Teacher Notes to support classroom use of the Great Southern Reef picture book by Prue Francis and Paul Venzo. -
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THE WAY OF THE WEEDY SEADRAGON
One of the GSR’s most iconic creatures is of course the Weedy Seadragon. If you have ever seen one in the wild, you will know that these whimsical creatures will take your breath away.
The book is recommended for readers ages 6-9 and the teacher notes are available here. The teacher notes explore pre-reading activities, discussion questions and science, art and English related activities. -
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HOLD ON!
The Spotted Handfish has survived since the time of the dinosaurs — until now. Invasive sea stars, pollution and climate change mean that this unique Australian is in real trouble. This primitive little walking fish is the perfect mascot for the smaller critters in across the Great Southern Reef that need our conservation help.
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THE UNDERWATER FOREST
Written by marine scientist Rebecca Morris, this book explores themes of environmental impact and the resilience of nature, making it a powerful educational tool for young readers to understand the importance of the Great Southern Reef, vulnerability of kelp forests and restoration techniques.
Recommended for readers ages 4-8, it can be used as a powerful education tool for older students too. -
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With a Little Kelp from Our Friends i
With a Little Kelp from Our Friends is a fantastic, easy-to-understand book for kids to learn about just how important seaweed is. Mathew Bate reveals how it is used in food, health, and medicine. Some of the book’s important themes also include seaweed farming, the history of seaweed use around the world and seaweed’s role in solutions for a changing climate.
Recommended for years 7 and up -
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SEA COIUNTRY
In this delightful children's picture book, Aunty Patsy Cameron generously shares the stories and traditions from her family's seasonal island life in Tasmania. With evocative text and stunning illustrations, Sea Country lets the reader know when to pick ripe wild cherries, when the moon (mutton) birds fly home and how the nautilus shells smell like the deepest oceans. Teacher notes provided here.
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Giinagay Gaagal, Hello Ocean
"Giinagay Gaagal, Hello Ocean" is an enchanting children's book that serves as a heartfelt tribute to the joyous days spent by the ocean. Created by the talented Gumbaynggirr artist Melissa Greenwood, this work celebrates the ocean (Gaagal) as a special place where families can swim in the waves, catch fish (yamaarr), and enjoy eating, dancing, and playing games together. It's a vibrant portrayal of the ocean's beauty and a call to cherish and protect these precious marine environments.
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ROCK POOL SECRETS
At first glance there's nothing much to see. But the rock pools are full of secrets. Nestling between rocks ... Hiding in the seaweed ... What creatures will you find? Discover their secrets in this flap book. Children will be fascinated with the depictions of sea cucumbers, crabs and sea anemones. The addition of a pictorial glossary is also very useful for those students who want to learn more about sea creatures and their environment.
ocean literacy professional development
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Enriching Ocean Literacy with First Nations Insights
This article embarks on a journey to explore how teachers can enrich their ocean curricula.
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OCEAN LITERACY VIDEO
This video helps teachers understand the concept of Ocean Literacy with a local Great Southern Reef context.
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Children’s Literature in Education
For teachers exploring the Great Southern Reef through picture books, the article this article offers insightful perspectives on using literature to cultivate environmental stewardship and ocean literacy among young learners.
