Primary Program 2011

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An excursion to the Marine Discovery Centre is the ideal way to bring to life a classroom marine unit. Primary groups explore the underwater world through hands on experiences in the Centre and on the foreshore of Peppermint Bay.    The primary program is aligned to the Tasmanian Curriculum.

One-day programs are available for primary classes from kindergarten to grade six. Additionally, there is a two-day program available for upper primary groups.  This incorporates all the highlights of a primary excursion, with the addition of a trip on the Centre's research vessel, the Penghana, to explore the D'Entrecasteaux Channel's marine environment.

A Typical Primary Excursion

The outline of a typical primary excursion is set out below. Times are very flexible and Ros will arrange a timetable to suit your travel arrangements. Visiting teachers may choose from the range of Focus Sessions that follows.

              10.00   Arrive and Introduction - includes a safety discussion

                          Marine Pond Tour - with touching time.

                          Focus Session: How to 'Read' a Fish

11.00 - 11.15    Morning Tea - eaten outside on the balcony, a good time to spot seabirds and watch for dolphins!

                         Focus Session: Exploring Touch Tank Invertebrates

                         Focus Session: Plankton Survey and Food Webs

12.30 - 1.00      Lunch - at nearby Silverwater Park.

                          Focus Session: Sharks

                         Question time and pack up

              2.00    Back to School

2011 Focus Sessions

• Marine Art (K-2)

• Creature Feature (K-2)

• Sea Shore Shenanigans (K-3)

• Sensory Investigation of the Foreshore (K-3)

• Sharks (K-4)

• Exploring Touch Tank Invertebrates (K-6)

• Marine Pollution (K-6)

• Seaweeds (1-4)

• Creatures of the Deep (1-4)

• Fish Observation Study (1-4)

• MDC Scavenger Hunt (1-6)

• Plankton Survey and Food Webs (3-6)

• How to 'Read' A Fish (3-6)

• Introduced Marine Pests (3-6)

• Foreshore Habitat Survey (3-6)

• CO2 and the Sea (5-6)

• Classification of Touch Tank Invertebrates (5-6)

• Salty Science (5-6)

If your class has a particular interest that is not catered for by these topics, a suitable session can be developed to suit your needs.  Click here to see a list of pre- and post-visit suggestions for your classroom.