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.

News feed

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority is calling for motivated and inspired school students to join us in this year’s Reef Guardian School Eco Challenge.

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.

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.
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  • Primary school
  • Middle school
  • Senior school
Showing 89 results
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Practical training for Indigenous Rangers to respond to incidents in the Great Barrier ReefWatch

Video of the training delivered by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Training provided a unique opportunity for Traditional Owners to guide government bodies on how to respond to incidents using a broad range of considerations including cultural heritage.

  • First Nations peoples
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Indigenous Ranger compliance trainingWatch

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 ReefWatch

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 ReefWatch

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 RangersWatch

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

  • First Nations peoples
Showing 52 results
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GBRMPA Teaching Units - Habitat investigations: Year 1 Australian Science curriculum focus View/Open

In this unit, students will explore one or more habitats within their local environment. They will identify external features of different plants and animals and how their needs are met in the habitats they live in. Students will identify and describe changes to local habitats as a result of human activity and suggest how science helps people care for their local habitats.

  • Ecosystems and habitats
  • Endangered species
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2016 Reef Beat Education Series: Threats to the Reef View/Open

A series of resources that include videos and an activity book that link to threats to the Great Barrier Reef.

  • Climate change
  • Extreme weather
  • Marine debris
  • Reef Beat Series
  • Reef Guardians
  • Responsible Reef practises
  • Human uses on the Reef
  • Water quality
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2013 Reef Beat Education Series: The amazing Great Barrier Reef, let's keep it great View/Open

A series of resources that include a poster and an activity book that link to the amazing Great Barrier Reef and its importance as a national and global icon.

  • Reef Beat Series
  • Reef Guardians
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2012 Reef Beat Education Series: The inshore Great Barrier Reef, bursting with biodiversity View/Open

A series of resources that include a set of posters and an activity book that link to inshore biodiversity on the Great Barrier Reef.

  • Ecosystems and habitats
  • Endangered species
  • Reef Beat Series
  • Reef Guardians
  • Responsible Reef practises
  • Water quality
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2011 Reef Beat Education Series: Working together today for a healthier Reef tomorrow View/Open

A series of resources that include a set of posters and an activity book that link to stewardship actions on the Great Barrier Reef.

  • Climate change
  • Reef Beat Series
  • Reef Guardians
  • Responsible Reef practises
Showing 64 results
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Classification of Reef Creatures Playlist Watch

A series of videos explaining classification and describing various marine phyla.

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Creature Feature Playlist Watch

A series of videos describing a few animals that live on the Great Barrier Reef.

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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 - Climate change: Year 10 Australian Science curriculum focus View/Open

In this mini unit, students will explore the carbon cycle and the four global systems: biosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere. Students will investigate greenhouses gases and carbon dioxide and describe the relationship between the carbon cycle and climate change. Students will investigate what happens when carbon dioxide is absorbed by seawater and potential impacts of ocean acidification on reef biodiversity. Students will discuss impacts of climate change on ecosystems and everyday changes to reduce these impacts.

  • Climate change
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GBRMPA Teaching Units - Ecosystems: Year 9 Australian Science curriculum focus View/Open

In this mini unit, students will investigate starch production in leaves and understand how plants use the sunlight energy to produce food. Students will explore energy flow in food webs within ecosystems. Students will identify the biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems and understand how these interact and relate to energy flow. Students will investigate how changing abiotic factors impact ecosystems and understand how natural and human events also impact ecosystems.

  • Ecosystems and habitats
Showing 72 results
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Our field management team: on the frontline Watch

A video showcasing the work of our field management team in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The field management program is a joint initiative of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

  • Responsible Reef practises
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Traditional Use of Marine Resource Agreements Watch

The Marine Park Authority and Traditional Owners are working together to integrate modern marine park management and traditional knowledge to protect this irreplaceable iconic World Heritage Area. This video explains these partnerships.

  • First Nations peoples
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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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