2023: Sea Turtles and Ocean Habitats

Focus of the Year 2023: Sea Turtles and Ocean Habitats

Each year at The Rainforest School, we choose a whole-school theme that brings learning to life across the curriculum. In 2023, our focus was Sea Turtles and Ocean Habitats—a rich and immersive project that explored the beauty and fragility of our marine ecosystems through science, storytelling, art, and action.

With support from the Queensland Government’s Engaging Science Grant, students worked alongside marine biologists, First Nations organisations, artists and environmental groups to understand the life cycles of marine turtles and the impact of human activity—particularly plastic pollution—on ocean environments.

Learning through Connection

Throughout the year, students learned both in and out of the classroom. They engaged in hands-on science, creative expression, and rich cultural exchange, all while investigating reef and turtle health from a range of perspectives.

Highlights included:

• Field trips to collect and analyse marine debris at the Indigenous Fish Trap at Mission Beach
• A guided visit to Green Island and Dunk Island to explore turtle habitats and reef ecology
• Scientific immersion at Cairns Aquarium’s Turtle Rehabilitation Centre and Marineland Melanesia’s coral-growing experiment
• Creative workshops in writing, silk painting, and dance, including a visit from author/illustrator Kim Michelle Toft and visiting a performance of Waru – Journey of the Small Turtle by Bangarra Dance Theatre

Indigenous Perspectives

Students connected deeply with First Nations knowledge throughout the project. Incursions and collaborations with Djiru Traditional Custodians, Mandubarra Land and Sea Inc., and Girringun Aboriginal Corporation brought powerful insights into the cultural significance of turtles and sustainable land and sea practices. These experiences helped students understand how traditional knowledge and modern science can work together to care for Country.

From Learning to Action

The project culminated in students sharing their learning with the wider community in meaningful and creative ways:

• iMovie storyboards with persuasive environmental messages, screened at the annual Spring Fair
• Picture books written and illustrated by students, encouraging ocean care among young readers and their families
• A choreographed dance performance themed Under the Sea, created with guidance from our school dance teacher
• A collaborative artwork with Art by Lavinia, displayed on The Rainforest School’s Mobile Recycling Centre

Purposeful, Passionate Learning

By investigating threats to marine life and discovering solutions, students were inspired to think critically, act responsibly, and advocate for change. This project not only deepened scientific understanding but also nurtured creativity, empathy and a strong sense of stewardship for our oceans.

Our Sea Turtles and Ocean Habitats project embodied our school’s core values—community, connection, conservation and creativity—and reminded us all of the power young people have to make a difference.