Ocean Ecosystem Dynamics
Related topics
Students will discover life below the waves in this whole-day depth study on marine science.
Students will get their hands wet with ocean science fieldwork exercises.
Students will be guided by knowledgeable museum educators in a series of three practical workshops, conducting hands-on investigations. Students use a range of scientific skills and equipment to understand the interrelationships between marine biodiversity, pollution and water quality.
This program satisfies the NESA requirements of a Year 11 Depth Study. Students learn to apply scientific skills and content in meaningful and practical ways.
Students will:
- Collect water samples from the museum’s wharves (weather permitting)
- Conduct experiments to measure a range of abiotic factors that affect the health of ocean ecosystems
- Use digital microscopes and underwater drone footage to classify marine organisms
- Construct a marine food web based on their own observations
- Classify and quantity plastic pollution from Sydney Harbour
- Discover how Seabin use data collection and analysis to inform decisions about environmental management
Curriculum links
Also included
- Free self-guided access to museum exhibitions and HMAS Vampire outside of the scheduled program times. If you wish to visit any other vessels, please include the details in your booking form.
- All groups have a 30-minute recess and safety induction on arrival.
- Please indicate in your booking enquiry if you would like to schedule a lunch break during your visit.
Cost
$25 per student (minimum 20 students, maximum 120 students)
Free for teachers and supervising adults within the required supervision ratio.
Discounts are available to schools with an ICSEA score of 800 or lower.
Accessibility
This program is conducted within the main museum building and along the wharves.
- There is ramp and lift access to all exhibition spaces within the main museum building.
- Wheelchair users can access the wharf with assistance.
- This program does not include boarding the vessels.
Please indicate in your booking enquiry if anyone in your group has additional support needs so that we can ensure everyone has a positive experience at the museum.
Still have questions?
Read the frequently asked questions to find out more.
Pre-visit activity
Use secondary sources of information to familiarise yourself with the study site and to learn how human activity has impacted marine ecology in the area.
Post-visit activity
Use underwater drone footage to identify marine species in an underwater transect at the museum.
Discuss factors which could account for the species distribution.