Marine biosecurity professional development for teachers
A Northland workshop and a webinar will help teaching professionals better utilise our Marine Biosecurity Education Module.
Unlike terrestrial pests, marine pests are out of sight and out of mind. With the arrival of the exotic caulerpa seaweed in Aotearoa New Zealand, it’s now true that everyone – from beachgoer to boatie – has a role in protecting our beaches and harbours from invasive pests.
In 2023 the team behind ‘Clean Below? Good to Go’ launched a free education module for Years 5-8 in New Zealand classrooms. It is presented in both Google Docs and in PDF format for learning on and off-screen, and includes a series of colourful activities to help teachers and learners understand what marine biosecurity is and why it is important, understand why marine pests are bad, how to identify them and stop them spreading, a communications and advocacy opportunity, and includes the option of a beach trip.
Through the modules, students learn about marine pests and the impacts they can have on the marine environment and be inspired to take action to monitor and report marine pest sighting.
This three-part resource is highly relevant to the ‘Nature of Science’ strand of the New Zealand curriculum and includes opportunities for gathering and interpreting data, using evidence, critiquing evidence, interpreting representations and engaging with science.
It was developed by Northland Regional Council, Auckland Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, the Ministry for Primary Industries, the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre and Young Ocean Explorers.
Check out the Marine Biosecurity Education Module now:
The learning opportunities for teachers and educators will provide everything you need to know about marine biosecurity, so that you can work with these modules.
Marine biosecurity webinar for teachers
Thursday 7 March – 3.30pm-5.00pm Register here
(Can’t attend? Register anyway to get a link to watch the webinar after the event.)
Marine pests teachers’ workshop
Thursday 21 March - Whangārei (all welcome)
Find out more and register here
These up-skilling opportunities are created and delivered by the Enviroschools Teams at Northland Regional Council and Waikato Regional Council, supported by local scientists.