Author Archives: oceanlifeeducation

Party Animals

b'day party nixon2

What’s not to love about a party – the food, the fun… and throw in a friendly turtle, a baby shark, some striking sea stars, and you’ve got the makings of a pretty memorable day for any young nature lovers!

Ocean Life Education loves a good celebration – especially when we get to share our passion for all things sea related with a roomful of eager attendees. So when the call came to be part of a young shark lover’s birthday, we didn’t need to be asked twice!

Now its fair to say that sharks are not a regular sight at Kawana Aquatic Centre on the Sunshine Coast – and we hasten to add ours was not let loose in the pool but Bob was there none-the-less along with some colourful companions.

The constant rain was forgotten as birthday boy Nixon and his friends became fascinated by our menagerie of marine animals – gentle touching them to help create connection and understanding which will hopefully lead to a lifelong desire to protect them and help conserve their environment.

Our Ocean Life animal ambassadors are guests of honour at all sorts of parties – from Kindy break-ups, to Xmas celebrations and any community events celebrating nature.

And while we like to think we’re educating through fun interactions, sometimes it’s the party recipient themselves who teaches us all a lesson in caring. Young Mia was so determined to make a difference to ocean animals, she encouraged all her friends to make a donation to the Australian Marine Conservation Society – instead of bringing gifts. She raised $200 to help fund efforts to preserve our oceans for generations to come.

It’s children like Mia and Nixon that makes it all worthwhile for us and even more reason we love to hang with our party animals.

Ocean Life to Outback

ocean to outback jaws Ocean Life Education had the rare opportunity to take the Ocean to the Outback this week, as part of a funding program supported by the State Government initiative, Advancing Queensland.

Children in Jandowae, Chinchilla and Dalby were excited to meet our amazing sea creatures which many had never seen before.

As usual, the sea stars proved a big hit, as too did the colourful tropical sea cucumbers with their vibrant coats and super soft bellies.

Bob the banded bamboo shark made an appearance at every show, but he’s not really the touchy feely sort so he prefers the sanctuary of his clear tub.

The logistics were huge to move the animals far from their natural environment. A truck was hired, 1000 litres of sea water was stored and carried along with pumps and filtration systems.

But all the hard work and effort involved was well and truly worth it according to Ocean Life’s Director of Education, Richard Coward.

“It’s always rewarding to see the children’s faces light up when they get close to our animals – but particularly on this trip where most of the kids had never encountered these animals before. They were keen to learn all about them and ways they can help preserve the sea creatures’ environment – even when they live a long way from the coast.”

“We explained to the children that every bit of rubbish that ended up in inland waterways will eventually find its way to the ocean where it can be mistaken for food and make the animals very sick.”

And how did the animals react to such a long road journey?

“Our animals are great travellers and are transported in greater comfort than most humans,” said Richard. “Our other educator Meaghan and myself may take a bit longer to recover from all the excitement!”

But the inland adventures are not over yet – Richard will be heading to Gayndah next month to help a whole new audience fall in love with his colourful array of creatures and become champions of the sea – even if it is from afar!

Sea Stars Turn TV Stars

21430316_269006576950783_5357399401719601007_n We always knew they had that certain something, that undefinable “star quality” that has everyone asking for more… and now it seems Nine News Sunshine Coast agrees with us.

Our sea stars and other marine animals were featured in a recent television news story celebrating their contribution to Seaweek 2017. A camera crew followed us to Kindamindi Childcare Centre on the Sunshine Coast to see first-hand the work of our “star” ambassadors.

Its long been accepted that as humans we care more about things we experience ourselves and touch is an important sense in making that connection. Once we have a greater understanding of the fragile marine ecosystem, and the impact it has on our lives, then we are invested in wanting to protect it, and ensure its survival for generations to come.

As with most things, starting young is the key to success, so with every pre-schooler who learns to love our sea creatures, the better the chance the ocean will receive the attention it deserves.

To view the Nine News Sunshine Coast story click this link…

https://www.facebook.com/9NewsSunshineCoast/videos/1962206393992624/

Seriously Fun Science Week

20170822_092759_resized_1 (003) Science Week was all about getting hands on experience – especially for participants in Ocean Life Education’s Marine Incursion programs.

More than a thousand children got up close and personal with our colourful marine creatures during a busy week of visits to early learning centres, schools and Bunnings hardware stores in the week of August 12-20.

Director of Education at Ocean Life Richard Coward says it’s the personal touch that helps to establish that lifetime bond between children and nature.

“Most children have good background knowledge about our animals and the impact we all have on the environment but they enjoyed learning new facts about our creatures, and understanding more through touching them, which enhances their desire to protect the natural marine environment.”

And you never know, through stroking a stripy tropical sea cucumber, the seed may have been sown in some young minds to seek out a career in science as an ecologist or marine biologist.

We’re already taking bookings for our marine incursion programs for next year’s Science Week – we have presentations suitable for all age groups, each one encouraging a greater respect for our natural world.

If your Science Week was a bit of a fizzer this year don’t fret, because it’s never too late to inspire the next generation of conservationists – Ocean Life Education’s Marine Life Incursion programs are available to visit your centre all year round.