Excursion Program: Ecosystem Engineers (Full Day)

Pre Primary, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6

Are there flowers under the sea? Seagrasses are the only flowering plants in the ocean and they craft a nurturing habitat for baby sea creatures! Students will discover the surprising world of seagrasses in this full-day excursion package, which incorporates themes of habitats, sustainability, conservation and art.


  • Duration: 4 - 5 hours
  • Fully Guided
  • Free parking
  • Kids Choice
  • Wheelchair Accessible

From: $32

Includes AQWA Entry

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What to Expect

Your students will discover more about the surprising and often overlooked world of seagrass and the animals that live in seagrass beds, before they become ecosystem engineers themselves using photosensitive paint to make giant seagrass blades that will form part of  AQWAs community art project.

Sustainability is central to this activity, as students discover that as Western Australians, they are custodians to 7% of the worlds seagrass meadows and learn more about initiatives to help restore the seagrass beds of Cockburn sound.

The year groups you select in your booking will dictate which themed talk and art activity is delivered on the day:

Tailored Themes & Australian Curriculum Links:

  • Year PP – 2: ( ACSSU002); (ACSSU017); (ACSSU211); (ACSSU030); (ACAVAM107)
    • Program theme: Nature’s Nursery
    • Talk: Students discover the basic needs of marine life then learn how seagrass nurtures the next generation of coral reef animals.
    • Art: Using natural and man made materials students create an original artwork to express feeling safe and cared for
  • Year 3 – 4: (ACSSU044); (ACSSU073); (ACAVAM111)
    • Program Theme: Underwater Flowers
    • Talk: Learn how to tell seagrass from seaweed then discover how seagrass and corals depend upon each other to survive.
    • Art: Students select from a range of materials to create a specific artwork that depicts a theme of friendship and support.
  • Year 5 – 6: (ACSSU043); (ACSSU094); (ACAVAM115)
    • Program Theme: Equal Opposites
    • Talk: Discover the structural features, adaptations and survival strategies of 2 types of seagrass then learn how, together they can transform hostile shifting sands into an enriching calm habitat that protects the shore and enables coral reefs to thrive.
    • Art: Students use light and dark to communicate the idea of equal opposites.

Program Timetable

  • This program Timetable is for planning purposes and is subject to change based on student numbers and/or may be adjusted upon request:
  • Arrival - check in at Reception anytime from 9am, deposit your 10c containers (if applicable)
  • Greeting - Ocean Guide greeting and briefing of the day, split in to groups
  • 9.30am - 10.45am - Self-guided exploration of AQWA's exhibits, Morning Tea
  • Assemble - Touch Pool Terrace - gather students at least 5 minutes prior to your activity start time, to meet your Ocean Guide
  • 11.00am - Ecosystem Engineers themed activity
  • 12noon - Lunch
  • 12.30pm - Decorate a giant seagrass blade with microscopic marine life of your own creation
  • 1.15pm - Learn about seahorses and our recent release of endemic WA seahorses to the wild by the AQWA Foundation.
  • 1.30pm - Groups split into rotations (groups of 10max); guided tour of AQWA’s seagrass exhibit; to visit Ocean Playroom; final visit/revisit to Touch Pool or Underwater Tunnel
  • 2.00pm - 2.15pm - Regroup in Education HQ, final questions, Teacher handover, Guide farewell.
  • Depart - at teachers discretion, by 2.30pm

Includes

  • 5.5 hour Excursion time
  • Briefing by an Ocean Guide
  • Full day program of guided activities and presentations, as outlined above (Timetable)
  • Content tailored to your year group, as outline above (What To Expect)
  • Extra time to self-guide through AQWA's exhibit areas
  • Access to air conditioned Education HQ for presentation portion of program
  • Reserved area for recess and lunch
  • Free Child return pass for each student, exclusively for schools who participate in Bring 3 For The Sea initiative (see below)
  • Free of charge supervising adults, as per year group ratios
  • Free bus parking & 4 hour car parking

Need to Know

Bookings:

This excursion package is available Monday-Friday, by request.

You can arrive for your Excursion from 9am; your full day program commences at 9.30am and concludes at 2.15pm. Please note students should be assembled and ready to meet your Ocean Guide prior to this start time.

Need a later start time? Please request this in the Special Requests section of the booking form and we will see how we can accommodate your group.

Booking request is not confirmed until you receive a booking acceptance by email. Our Bookings Manager my contact you for further information.

Students:

Suitable for students in years PP – 6.

There is a minimum of 25 students to book this package, maximum 75 students.

Have more students? Please request in the Special Requests section of the booking form and we will see how we can accommodate your group.

Teachers and Helpers:

AQWA Excursions include free of charge Teachers and Supervisory Helpers at the following year-group ratios:

  • Years K to 2 – 1 FOC : 5 Students
  • Years 3 to 12 – 1 FOC : 10 Students
  • Additional Supervisory Teachers/Helpers: available at current Concession rate.

Before Your Excursion

Bring 3 For The Sea initiative:

Get students excited for their excursion by involving them in our Bring 3 For the Sea initiative! 

  • AQWA has teamed up with Containers for Change and we are asking every student and visitor to bring three 10c marked containers with them to donate to the AQWA Foundation.
  • This small challenge will support AQWA Foundation’s turtle rehabilitation program AND reduce plastics in the ocean and in landfill. 
  • Simply have each student bring 3 eligible containers to donate during your excursion.
  • Participating schools receive a free Child Return Pass for each Student and can receive a Certificate of Acknowledgement for helping the AQWA Foundation!
  • When you book an AQWA excursion, you can request we post out a free Containers for Change collection bag to start gathering your containers before you visit.

Planning Pack:

Be sure to download and read our External Provider Planning Pack, which covers:

  • Information for completion of Education Department Part B: EXTERNAL PROVIDER CHECKLIST, including Public Liability Certificate.
  • Arrival procedures
  • Logistics
  • Behavioural and supervisorial expectations
  • Maps

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