Reefed resources

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Welcome to the ReefED!

A one stop shop for all things Great Barrier Reef Education.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and its national education centre for the Great Barrier Reef, Reef HQ Aquarium, offer an extensive range of educational resources and programs. These resources are curriculum-linked for all year levels, from early learning to grade 12.

Scroll down to access these educational resources.

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World Oceans Day – 8 June- FREE - Introduction to the Great Barrier Reef virtual learning experience.

Reef scene with fishes and corals

World Environment Day – 5 June- FREE - Ecosystems of the Great Barrier Reef virtual learning experience

Reef scene

Let’s celebrate World Turtle Day, 2023. Join our marine educators to gain an understanding of the biology and adaptations of sea turtles.

LET'S CELEBRATE SEAWEEK

Reef scene with fishes and corals
Explore educational resources
Our education resources cover a range of topics to teach and learn about the Great Barrier Reef including climate change, sea country connection, sustainability, wetlands, threats to the Reef, biodiversity. Below you can find resources, including our Reef Beat poster series, science unit plans, student activity sheets, videos and much more!
Click on the tabs or apply filters to browse through the resources by year level and topic.
  • All
  • Primary school
  • Middle school
  • Senior school
Showing 89 results
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What does it mean to be a Master Reef Guide?Watch

Master Reef Guides are recognised as the world’s leading reef guides, interpreters and story tellers sharing the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. These reef ambassadors can provide up-to-date information on the Reef, share stories of the magical World Heritage Area, and explain what you can do to make a difference.

  • Human uses on the Reef
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Coral spawning-this is the most important event of the year for the Great Barrier ReefWatch

Video of one of the most spectacular events on the Great Barrier Reef, the annual synchronised spawning of corals.

  • Human uses on the Reef
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Don't let your litter bug our ReefWatch

We all have a part to play reducing marine debris across the Great Barrier Reef. Plastic bags, discarded fishing gear, plastic and glass bottles, rubber thongs, aerosols and drink cans can harm wildlife and pose a navigational hazard.

  • Responsible Reef practises
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Going fishing? How zoning helps hook you a catch. Watch

A video explaining how zoning works and how it can help you catch fish.

  • Responsible Reef practises
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Exploring the Reef's historic heritageWatch

Meet Pete Illidge — our maritime archaeologist who is passionate about exploring the historic heritage of the Great Barrier Reef.

Showing 52 results
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Climate Change Animation Playlist Watch

A series of animated videos depicting what climate change is, coral bleaching, ocean acidification, and the impacts of climate change.

  • Climate change
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GBRMPA Teaching Units - Let's go fishing: Year 6 Australian Science curriculum focus View/Open

In this unit, students will investigate fish species and their survival needs. They will explore the habitats in which they live and identify how changes to the physical conditions of the habitat e.g. by pollution, can affect the growth and survival of fish. Students will identify fishing rules and investigate sustainable fishing practices. Students will use their knowledge about fish growth and survival to inform decisions about fishing and sustainable fishing practices.

  • Responsible Reef practises
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GBRMPA Teaching Units - Animal adaptations: Year 5 Australian Science curriculum focus View/Open

In this unit, students will investigate structural and behavioural adaptations of animals and plants. They will understand how these adaptations help animals and plants survive in the environments they live in. Students will recognise how science knowledge, such as knowing how adaptations in living things help them survive in their environments, can be used to inform personal and community decisions.

  • Ecosystems and habitats
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GBRMPA Teaching Units - Endangered species - marine turtles: Year 4 Australian Science curriculum focus View/Open

In this unit, students will investigate marine turtles and their life cycles. They will explore the relationship between the survival needs of marine turtles and the habitats they live in, including interactions with other living things. By considering changes to the habitats, such as coastal development and climate change, students will predict the effect of these changes on marine turtles, including the impact on the survival of the species. Students will recognise how science knowledge helps people understand the effect of their actions.

  • Endangered species
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GBRMPA Teaching Units - Exploring the Reef: Year 3 Australian Science curriculum focus View/Open

In this unit, students will investigate living and non-living things (including things on the Great Barrier Reef). They will observe and group things as living or non-living based on observable features. They will explore the characteristics of living things. Students will identify natural and human threats to living things on the Reef and recognise how science can help people understand threats to the Reef such as oil spills and the effect of human actions.

  • Ecosystems and habitats
  • Endangered species
Showing 64 results
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Yirrganydji Traditional use of Marine Resources Agreement Watch

Video explaining the Yirrganydji Traditional use of Marine Resources Agreement and the projects they are undertaking.

  • First Nations peoples
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Lama Lama Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreement Watch

A video about the Lama Lama Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreement (TUMRA) that covers Sea Country which extends from Princess Charlotte Bay to the Normanby River, a rugged and breathtakingly beautiful part of the Great Barrier Reef.

  • First Nations peoples
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Here's how you can protect the Great Barrier Reef Watch

A video explaining how your actions can help protect the Great Barrier Reef.

  • Climate change
  • Responsible Reef practises
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Monitoring for management: Reef 2050 plan? Watch

The Reef 2050 Integrated Monitoring and Reporting Program is a coordinated and integrated monitoring, modelling and reporting program for the Great Barrier Reef and its adjacent catchment that will help track the progress towards targets and objectives of the Reef 2050 Plan, under the plan’s seven themes. This will be a key input to assessing the effectiveness of the plan.

  • Climate change
  • Endangered species
  • Extreme weather
  • Marine debris
  • Responsible Reef practises
  • Water quality
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What is the Reef 2050 Plan? Watch

A video explaining the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan (Reef 2050 Plan). The Reef 2050 Plan was developed by the Australian and Queensland governments, together with its partners, including Traditional Owners, industry, scientists and communities, as an overarching strategy for managing the Great Barrier Reef.

  • Climate change
  • Extreme weather
  • Marine debris
  • Responsible Reef practises
  • Water quality
Showing 72 results
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Indigenous Ranger compliance training Watch

Video showing the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) delivered the nationally recognised Certificate IV in Government (Statutory Compliance) to 28 Indigenous rangers at the Yuku Baja Muliku Ranger Base south of Cooktown.

  • First Nations peoples
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Indigenous Ranger Training on the Reef Watch

A video explaining Indigenous Reef Ranger training. This ranger training aims to cross-pollinate traditional knowledge with Western science to protect Indigenous heritage values and ultimately, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

  • First Nations peoples
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Indigenous Rangers on the Reef Watch

This video explains the Indigenous rangers program. It is a nationally-accredited training course by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. It provides rangers with the skills to ensure Marine Park users comply with its rules and traditional lore.

  • First Nations peoples
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Meet the Yuku Baja Muliku Junior Rangers Watch

A video explaining the Yuku Baja Muliku Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreement and their Junior Rangers from Far North Queensland.

  • First Nations peoples
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A new kind of sea star: how we're helping rehabilitate Green Island in the Great Barrier Reef Watch

A video explaining reef stars. Using hexagonal-shaped, metal frames called MARRS Reef Stars and thousands of live coral fragments, Neil and the team, in partnership with Queensland National Parks, are working to regenerate the Reef.

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