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2026 Ocean Events: Curriculum-Aligned Classroom Activities for the Whole Year

Ocean Events & Activities 2026

 

Planning meaningful, engaging and curriculum-aligned learning about the ocean just got a whole lot easier!

At Ocean Life Education, we work with Early Years, Primary and secondary schools across Australia to bring marine science, conservation and sustainability to life through hands-on, Australian Curriculum aligned incursions, excursions, and events.

To help teachers plan ahead, we’ve created this 2026 Ocean & Environment Events Calendar and matched key dates with simple, classroom-ready activity ideas you can use all year long – whether you’re teaching foundation or upper primary.

Ocean Events Calendar 2026This guide is perfect for:

✔️ Unit planning and inquiry units

✔️ Sustainability and science

✔️ Geography, HASS and Design & Technologies

✔️ National events, awareness days and real-world connections

 

Why Teach Using Real-World and Local Events Helps:

  • Build relevance and student engagement
  • Support inquiry-based learning
  • Strengthen links to the Australian Curriculum
  • Create natural opportunities for cross-curricular projects
  • Connect classroom learning to real conservation issues

And furthermore – they work brilliantly alongside an Ocean Life Education incursion, excursion or event.

Term-by-Term Classroom Activity Ideas

🐢 Term 1: January – March

 

Seaweek AustraliaKey Events:

World Wetlands Day (Feb 2)

World Whale Day (Feb 15)

SeaWeek (Feb 28 – Mar 8)

Clean Up Australia Day (Mar 1)

World Wildlife Day (Mar 3)

Earth Hour (Mar 28)

Classroom Ideas:

🧊 Foundation – Year 2

 

Great Barrier Reef for Schools🌏 Years 3–6

  • Discuss how students can help clean up the Great Barrier Reef Habitats  and how everyone can make a difference using our Human Impact Resources/ Activities. Why not un a school clean-up audit and graph the results.
  • Investigate where our water comes from and where it goes
  • Create a “Save Our Seas” poster campaign

 

 

Perfect incursion/ excursion link:

👉 Marine habitats, animal adaptations, food chains, and human impact

🐧 Term 2: April – June

Key Events:

Earth Day (April 22)

World Turtle Day (May 23)

World Dugong Day (May 28)

World Environment Day (June 5)

World Ocean Day (June 8)

World Sea Turtle Day (June 16)

Classroom Ideas:

🎨 Early Years

 

Turtle Life Cycle

 

🔬 Primary

 

Perfect incursion link:

👉 Australian marine animals, classification, life cycles, conservation

 

🦈 Term 3: July – September

Key Events:

Plastic Free July

Shark Awareness Day (July 14)

Coral Reef Awareness Week (July 20–26)

World Mangrove Day (July 26)

National Science Week (Aug 15–23)

World Whale Shark Day (Aug 30)

Biodiversity Month (September)

World Clean Up Day (Sept 20)

 

Classroom Ideas:

Plastic Diary♻️ Whole School

 

 

 

🪸 Science Focus

 

Perfect incursion link:

👉 Ecosystems, food chains, biodiversity, reef health, pollution

 

🐙 Term 4: October – December

Coastcare WeekKey Events:

World Teachers’ Day (Oct 5)

World Octopus Day (Oct 8)

World Jellyfish Day (Nov 3)

National Recycling Week (Nov 9–15)

World Fisheries Day (Nov 21)

Coastcare Week (Dec)

Classroom Ideas:

Shark resources

 

📊 Years 3–6

  • Explore sustainable fishing vs overfishing
  • Create infographics about sea jellies, sharks or octopus
  • Design a future ocean with healthy ecosystems

 

 

Perfect incursion/ excursion link:

👉 Sustainability, human impact, adaptations, marine careers

 

How Ocean Life Education Supports These Units

Our Early Years & Primary incursions are:

✔️ Australian Curriculum aligned

✔️ Hands-on and inquiry-based

✔️ Tailored for the year level and your needs

✔️ Linked to Science, Geography, HASS and Sustainability priorities

✔️ Designed to build real-world environmental understanding

 

We bring:

🐢 Live marine animals

🦈 Interactive displays and artefacts

🌏 Engaging conservation stories

🧠 Age-appropriate scientific concepts

 

Planning Tip for Teachers

When planning your yearly overview:

Ready to Bring the Ocean into Your Classroom?

Ocean Life Education works with schools across Australia to deliver unforgettable, curriculum-aligned marine education experiences.

 

 

Ocean Life EducationOcean Life Education helps Australians connect with the ocean and understand why it matters. Through engaging, hands-on programs, we explore Australia’s marine environments, the animals that live there, and the challenges our oceans face.

Our curriculum-aligned sessions are delivered in schools, at events, and in the field, and are tailored to each group. Using real marine animals and interactive activities, we build curiosity, deepen understanding, and inspire students to care for and protect our oceans into the future.

📚 Recommended Resources & Useful Links

Primary Incursions & Excursions

Primary Resources & Activities

34 Easy Ocean Crafts and Learning Activities for Kids – We Are Teachers

Saltwater Schools – Ocean Lesson Plans Australia: Marine Stewardship Council

We hoped you enjoyed reading our blog: 2026 Ocean Events: Curriculum-Aligned Classroom Activities for the Whole Year

Humpback Whale Adaptations: Fun Learning Activities for Schools

Humpback Whales for Schools

 

Humpback whales are one of Australia’s most iconic ocean visitors – and perfect for helping students explore how animals adapt to survive in their environments. With their incredible annual migration along Australia’s coasts, unique feeding behaviours and specialised physical features, humpbacks offer rich, hands-on learning opportunities that support the Australian Curriculum’s focus on biological sciences and understanding how living things adapt, grow and survive.

Below is a guide to humpback whale adaptations, plus simple, engaging activities that you can run in the classroom to bring ocean science to life.

Check out our educational programs that support this curriculum learning.

Link to whale resources here.

Humpback Whale Fast FactsHumpback Whale Anatomy

  • Species of baleen whale
  • Gets its name from the hump on its’ back
  • Distinctive shape – long pectoral fins and a knobbly head
  • Black on the upper (dorsal) side and black and white on the under (ventral) side
  • Ventral pleats run from the tip of the lower jaw to the belly
  • Dorsal fin on the back for stability
  • The shape and colour on the dorsal (upper) fin and tail is unique to each whale, like human fingerprints

 

Why Humpback Whales Are a Powerful Adaptation Example

Each year, humpback whales travel up to 10,000 km along Australia’s east coast – one of the longest migrations on the planet. Their journey from Antarctica to Queensland and back again highlights how animals rely on physical and behavioural adaptations to thrive in different environments.

Studying humpback whales helps learners develop:

🐋An understanding of how animals adapt to survive

🐋Observation and comparison skills

🐋Curiosity about marine ecosystems

🐋Awareness of ocean conservation and human impact

Key Humpback Whale Adaptations

  1. Blubber – A Built-In Heater

Humpbacks have a thick layer of blubber that keeps them warm in freezing Antarctic waters. It also provides energy when they stop feeding in warmer waters during migration.

Try it:
Blubber Glove Experiment – Students place a hand inside a bag surrounded by fat to feel how insulation works.

 

  1. Baleen Plates – The Ultimate Filter-Feeder Humpback Whale Baleen

Humpbacks are baleen whales, meaning they feed by filtering tiny shrimp-like creatures through fringed plates of long, fingernail-like material called baleen, attached to their upper jaws.

 

Try it:
Baleen Sieve Activity – Use a comb or colander with water and small floating items (e.g., lentils or bits of paper) to mimic how baleen traps food.

 

  1. Flippers and Flukes – Built for Swimming

Humpbacks have long pectoral fins – the largest of any whale – which help with turning, gliding and acrobatic manoeuvres.

The tail has two lobes known as flukes . Whales tails are horizontal and move up and down, unlike a fish’s tail (shown) which is vertical and moves from side to side.

Try it:
Flipper Paper Plane Challenge – Make paper “whales” with long and short fins and compare which glides further.

 

  1. Migration Behaviour – A Survival Strategy Humpback Whale Migration Map

Travelling thousands of kilometres ensures humpbacks can feed in Antarctica and breed in warm northern waters.

Try it:
Migration Map Tracking – Plot their journey on a large classroom map, noting resting spots, danger zones and feeding grounds. Bring it to life with a local focus.

Humpback Whale Migration Calendar

Where to see the Humpback Whales Migration on East Coast Australia

 

  1. Songs and Communication – Finding Each Other in the Deep

Male humpbacks sing complex songs that travel long distances underwater, helping them communicate during migration.

Try it:
Sound Wave Demo – Use tuning forks, water bowls or elastic bands to explore how sound travels differently through solids, liquids and air.

Wrap-Up: Bringing Science and the Ocean Together

Adaptation activities centred on humpback whales not only support learning in biological sciences but also build curiosity, empathy and environmental awareness. By exploring how these amazing animals survive and thrive, students gain a deeper appreciation of Australia’s ocean ecosystems – and the role humans play in protecting them.

If you’d like more hands-on ocean learning experiences, Ocean Life Education offers curriculum-aligned programs designed to inspire and engage.

More Humpback Whale Resources

Learn More About Humpback Whales with our online course

🧭 Local Learning Experiences

Take advantage of the humpback whale migration along the East Coast of Australia. From May to November, students may be able to see whales from shore or on a local eco-tour.

Consider planning:

🐳 A virtual whale-watching tour

🐳 An incursion with Ocean Life Education

🐳 A field trip/ excursion to a local coastal lookout

About Ocean Life Education Ocean Life Education

At Ocean Life Education, we’re all about helping Australians connect with the ocean and understand why it matters. Through engaging, hands-on learning experiences, we explore Australia’s diverse marine environments, the incredible creatures that live there, and the real-world challenges our oceans are facing.

Our interactive programs are curriculum-aligned and designed to make learning meaningful and memorable – whether it’s in the classroom, during an event, or through immersive field-based experiences. Every session is customised to suit your school or group, with an emphasis on local marine ecosystems, human impact, and conservation.

From up-close marine displays featuring real ocean animals to dynamic learning activities, our programs encourage curiosity, deepen understanding, and inspire students to take action. Above all, we aim to empower young people to value our oceans and feel confident about playing a role in protecting them for the future.

📚 Recommended Resources & Useful Links

Primary Incursions & Excursions

Primary Resources & Activities

Ocean Life Education’s Whale Resources

For more information about what we do, check out Ocean Life Education.

We hoped you enjoyed reading our blog: Humpback Whale Adaptations: Fun Learning Activities for Schools

Coast Care Week: Inspiring Students to Protect East Australia’s Shores

 

Coastcare Week

 

Coast Care Week is the perfect opportunity for teachers to empower students to understand and protect Queensland’s unique coastal environments. From the golden beaches of the Sunshine Coast to the world-famous and epic Great Barrier Reef, students can explore the wonders of our local shores while learning how human activity and climate change threaten these fragile ecosystems.

This year, why not try experiential and project-based learning? Here’s a set of fresh, hands-on ideas for the classroom.

 

Coastal Citizen Scientists

  • Age Group: Upper Primary & Secondary
  • Activity: Students adopt a local stretch of coast (or use virtual tools if a field trip isn’t possible) to monitor Ocean excursion environmental indicators: sand erosion, litter, water clarity, or marine life sightings.
  • Twist: Students upload findings to a shared Padlet board. This builds a real-time picture of local coastal health and encourages collaboration.
  • Learning Outcome: Students practice data collection, observation, and scientific reporting while understanding the impact of humans on coastal ecosystems.

Ocean Life Education can assist in bringing learning to life with a Human Impact themed incursion or excursion featuring live marine animals at your school.

Barrier Reef Rescue Challenge

  • Age Group: Upper Primary & Secondary
  • Activity: Students design innovative solutions to help protect the Great Barrier Reef. Ideas could include reef-friendly sunscreen campaigns, artificial reef structures, or awareness programs targeting tourists.
  • Twist: Turn it into a “Shark Tank”-style pitch where students present solutions to a panel of teachers or local environmentalists.
  • Learning Outcome: Encourages problem-solving, creativity, and understanding of coral bleaching and reef conservation.

Microplastic Detective Hunt

  • Age Group: Primary
  • Activity: Using sand, water trays, and a simple sieve, students search for microplastics and other tiny pollutants hidden in “coastal samples.”
  • Twist: Incorporate a citizen science element: submit collected data to Australian research projects tracking microplastic pollution.
  • Learning Outcome: Students see firsthand how tiny pollutants threaten marine life and learn that even small actions (like reducing plastic use) make a difference.

Ocean Life Education can assist in bringing learning to life with a Human Impact themed incursion or excursion featuring live marine animals at your school.

 

Coastal Storytelling Project

  • Age Group: Primary & Secondary
  • Activity: Students research a Queensland coastal area (e.g., the Whitsundays, Fraser Island, or Moreton Bay) and create a short story, comic strip, or short video from the perspective of a local animal, coral, or mangrove.
  • Twist: Encourage creative storytelling that also teaches about threats like habitat loss, climate change, or coral bleaching.
  • Learning Outcome: Fosters empathy, environmental literacy, and creativity while teaching students about ecosystems and biodiversity.

Classroom Climate Action Campaign

  • Age Group: Secondary
  • Activity: Students investigate how climate change affects Queensland’s coasts and coral reefs. They then create a multi-media campaign for the school or local community promoting climate action.
  • Twist: Include social media posts, a mini-podcast, or even a short school news segment.
  • Learning Outcome: Students connect local ecosystems to global climate issues and develop digital literacy, communication, and advocacy skills.

Bringing Coast Care Week Alive

To make these projects truly effective:

  • Collaborate with Ocean Life Education and/or local environmental groups, such as Coolum Coast Care and Sea Shepherd Queensland to examine animals and environments firsthand.
  • Use real-time data from government or NGO sites for reef and coastal conditions.
  • Encourage cross-curricular integration: science (ecosystems, climate change), English (storytelling, presentations), and civics (community engagement).

By focusing on hands-on projects, storytelling, and citizen science, Coast Care Week can spark curiosity and inspire students to become lifelong protectors of Queensland’s shores and the Great Barrier Reef.

Ocean Life EducationAbout Ocean Life Education

Ocean Life Education provides interactive, curriculum-aligned marine incursions that bring ocean learning to life. Our experienced marine educators visit schools and community groups with live marine animals and hands-on activities, giving students an exciting opportunity to explore marine habitats, biodiversity, and conservation in a meaningful, engaging way.

Through these immersive sessions, we ignite curiosity, encourage environmental responsibility, and inspire young Australians to protect and value our incredible marine environments.

👉 Learn more or book your incursion or event program today

We hoped you enjoyed reading our blog: Coast Care Week: Inspiring Students to Protect East Australia’s Shores

Here’s a link to Ocean Life Education’s other news

Turtle Lifecycles: Great Barrier Reef Science for Primary Students

 

Turtle Life Cycle

 

The turtle lifecycle is one of nature’s most fascinating journeys – and a perfect topic for Australian teachers exploring science, sustainability, ocean heritage, and ocean ecosystems through the Australian Curriculum. By focusing on turtles of the Great Barrier Reef and South East Queensland, students can connect learning with real-world local habitats and understand how humans can help protect these graceful ocean travellers.

Check out our Habitats Fact Cards

 Turtles of the Great Barrier Reef and South East Queensland

Green turtle

Six of the world’s seven marine turtle species visit Queensland waters, including the Green Turtle, Loggerhead Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle, Olive Ridley, Flatback, and the occasional Leatherback Turtle.

  • Green and Loggerhead Turtles are most commonly seen around the Sunshine Coast and Great Barrier Reef.
  • Flatback Turtles are unique to Australia and often nest on Queensland beaches.

These species play an important role in keeping seagrass meadows (found near Moreton Island) and coral reefs healthy.

The Turtle Lifecycle Turtle hatchling

Teaching the turtle lifecycle provides a hands-on way for students to explore growth, change, and survival. The main stages include:

  1. Eggs – Female turtles come ashore at night to lay eggs in the warm sand.
  2. Hatchlings – Tiny turtles break free after about 6–8 weeks and make a perilous dash to the sea.
  3. Juveniles – They drift on ocean currents and feed in floating seaweed beds.
  4. Adults – After decades at sea, turtles return to their birthplace to nest, completing the life cycle.

This sequence supports Science Understanding: Biological Sciences (Years F–6), where students explore living things’ life stages and life cycles.

Link to Life Cycle Activity for Primary

Link to Ocean Life Education’s Habitats Primary Programs & Habitats Resources

Local Context: Habitat, Season and Threats

In South East Queensland, turtle nesting season runs from October to March. Students can investigate local beaches such as Noosa, Coolum, and Mon Repos, where Loggerhead and Green Turtles lay eggs.

Common threats include:

  • Plastic pollution and marine debris mistaken for food
  • Coastal development reducing nesting habitat
  • Climate change, which affects sand temperatures and hatchling gender
  • Boat strikes and fishing nets

These topics link directly to the Sustainability cross-curriculum priority, encouraging students to consider how their actions affect marine ecosystems.

Click here to link to our Human Impact Primary Programs

Curriculum Links

  • Science – Biological Sciences: Life cycles, habitats, and needs of living things
  • Geography: Exploring local environments and sustainability
  • English: Report writing, sequencing events, and persuasive texts on conservation
  • Visual Arts: Creating life cycle diagrams
  • Digital Technologies: Using apps to track turtle migration

By integrating these learning areas, teachers can create meaningful STEM and inquiry-based learning experiences that highlight real environmental issues.

Check out our Life Cycle Themed Incursions

Connecting to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives

Aboriginal turtle art

For thousands of years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have had deep cultural and spiritual connections to sea turtles.

The Kabi Kabi, Butchulla, and Woppaburra Peoples along the Queensland coast recognise turtles as part of their ocean heritage, using traditional knowledge to manage marine environments sustainably.

Including these perspectives helps students appreciate First Nations knowledge systems, aligning with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures cross-curriculum priority.

 

Classroom Activities and Teacher Handouts Plastic Diary

  1. Lifecycle Activity Diagram – Students order and label the turtle life stages using photos from local species.
  2. Plastic Diary – Get students to create a plastic diary and discuss solutions to reduce waste.
  3. Mapping Migration – Use maps or online data to trace turtle migration paths along the Great Barrier Reef.

Watch our short video on life cycles of ocean animals, including turtles – Introduced by Ocean Life Education’s Director of Education, Richard Coward.

Inspire Lifelong Ocean Guardians

By studying turtle lifecycles in the context of the Great Barrier Reef, students learn how science, sustainability, and community action come together to protect our oceans. Each activity builds awareness that even small changes – like reducing plastic use or joining a beach cleanup – can make a big difference for future generations of turtles.

About Ocean Life Education

At Ocean Life Education, we deliver engaging, hands-on marine incursions designed to connect directly with the Australian Curriculum. Our qualified marine educators bring live sea creatures and interactive learning experiences to schools and community spaces, allowing students to discover the wonders of marine habitats, biodiversity, and ocean conservation in a fun and memorable way.

Our sessions spark curiosity, build environmental awareness, and inspire students to care for Australia’s extraordinary marine ecosystems – empowering the next generation of ocean guardians.

Link to other life cycle resources

👉 Learn more or book your incursion or event program today

We hoped you enjoyed reading our blog: Turtle Lifecycles: Great Barrier Reef Science for Primary Students

Here’s a link to Ocean Life Education’s other news