Using the Seashore as a Classroom

The shore is a wonderful place to observe marine life in their natural environment.

Select a place where access is easy and safe, and check tide timetables (available on the Bureau of Meteorology website) to coincide your visit with a falling tide.

Ensure students are prepared with adequate weather safety gear and footwear - sneakers or boots, plus sun hat, sun cream, raincoat etc.

Encourage a number of parent helpers to accompany your class and brief them on safety and behaviour rules.

Teachers need to carry a first aid kit and be in accordance with their school's Occupational and Safety requirements.

Discuss rules regarding observing/touching sea creatures with your class before setting out:

- Always be very gentle and respectful of living creatures

- Do not poke fingers into crevices etc where you cannot see

- Do not touch or pick up octopus of any colour

- Be careful of animals with spines (eg fish, urchins) or spicules (eg sponges)

- When looking under rocks always replace the rock back the way it was as they are homes to animals

- If you pick up any animals always place them back where you find them

- Don't pull animals such as sea stars or sea snails off rocks if they are stuck to them as this can injure the animal

To see an animal up close place it in a shallow container of seawater so that it does not dry out.

Resist the temptation to collect shells etc as these can be homes for creatures such as hermit crabs. Collection of any live animals is prohibited unless you hold a permit.

Take a bag and tongs to collect any rubbish you find on your walk so you leave the area better than you found it. You may like to use this an a learning activity and perform a litter survey.

Adapted from a resource written by Ingrid Albion for the Marine Discovery Centre