Excursion Program: Shark Biologist

Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year 10

Let your secondary students sink their teeth into some elasmobranch science before climbing aboard our Glass Bottom Boat for an up-close observation of our sharks!


  • Duration: 1 - 2 hours
  • Fully Guided
  • Great For Teens
  • Free parking

From: $29

Includes AQWA Entry

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What to Expect

This excursion package includes a 1 hour activity* which dives deep into the mysterious world of sharks.

The guided portion of your excursion includes a Glass Bottom Boat ride across our 3 million litre shark aquarium, plus a 20 minute presentation by your own Ocean Guide that will cover; classification & identification; unique features & extreme abilities (adaptations); diversity; and ancestry of key shark species.

Remaining time of your excursion is self-guided.

*approximately, dependant on student numbers.

Australian Curriculum Links:

  • Year 7: (ACSSU111)
  • Year 8: (ACSSU150)
  • Year 9: (ACSSU175)
  • Year 10: (ACSSU185)

Program Timetable

  • 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
  • Time permitting - morning tea and/or explore outside exhibits (Marina Bay, Coral Reef, Touch Pool, Turtle Rescue Centre)
  • Assemble - Touch Pool Terrace - gather students at least 5 minutes prior to your activity start time, to meet your Ocean Guide
  • Component A - Education HQ - Shark Bioloigst Presentation (approx. 20 minutes)
  • Component B - Guided Access Behind Scenes - Glass Bottom Boat tours commence (capacity 9 students per 15 minute session) - Students not on boat can explore, complete worksheets
  • Component C - Shipwreck Coast - Guided tour and Q&A through tunnel.
  • Ocean Guide farewell
  • Component D - Exhibit Areas - Self-guided exploration of AQWA's exhibits for remainder of excursion

Includes

  • 3.5 hour Excursion time
  • Briefing by an Ocean Guide
  • 1 hour guided activity, as outlined above
  • 2.5 hours self-guided access to AQWA's exhibit areas
  • Opportunity to see behind the scenes of a major aquarium
  • Access to air conditioned Education HQ for presentation portion of program
  • 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:

Available Monday-Friday during school term, by request.

You can arrive for your Excursion any time from 9am; please nominate your arrival time in the booking form.

Activity start times are 10.30am & 11.30am. Please note students should be assembled and ready to meet your Ocean Guide prior to your activity start time.

Guided program has a duration of approx. 1 hour. Remaining excursion time is self-guided.

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 7 – 10.

There is a minimum of 16 students to book and a maximum of 36 students per day.

Boat sessions will occur up to 4x per day. Students will need to form groups of 9 for each 15 minute boat ride. Please ensure a teacher is available to supervise the students that remain in the exhibit areas.

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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