How does your school or teachers connect students to the reef to promote CARE?
Have displays and nature positive messaging in the classroom/ school
Teach conservation and respect for the environment, the world's oceans and its interconnected ecosystems (i.e. coral reefs, mangroves, sea grass beds)
Students can list how their own actions can positively or negatively impact reef related ecosystems.
Students reflect on their own connection to the reef and marine ecosystems
Environmental Science Sister School
Which Reef Guardian School Program curriculum resources were used to help students LEARN?
Reef Guardian STEM teaching units
Reef Guardian teaching units
Reef Education free or paid Virtual Learning Experiences (VLEs)
Reef Guardian School videos or webinars
Environmental days (World Ocean Day, Plastic Free July, Walk to School days, National Recycle week).
Eco challenge
Which Reef Authority resources were used to help students LEARN?
Reef Authority Educational Videos (i.e. Classification of Reef Creatures, Great Barrier Reef Aquarium YouTube channel, Reef Authority Youtube channel)
Which LEARN topics were covered this year?
Climate change
Responsible reef practices and marine life and boating dangers
Water quality
Coastal development and ecosystem restoration
Marine debris
Target animals (e.g. turtles)
Conservation
Animal features and adaptations
The Great Barrier Reef
ACT Marine Debris
Marine debris clean-up (i.e. clean up a local beach/river/creek, clean up Australia Day)
Litter reduction in school (i.e. clean up proactive program)
Education on assembly, newsletters and posters (i.e. educate school community with a talk at assembly, newsletters and posters)
ACT Reducing waste and recycling
Make recyclable/reusable bags
Keeping chickens - feeding them food scraps
Recycling program (i.e. start a recycling program at your school)
ACT Reducing energy
Using/installing solar
Encourage students to turn off electrical equipment when not in use (i.e. lights, fans,)
ACT Gardens and habitat restoration
School kitchen garden (i.e. garden that produces fruit and vegetables for your schools tuckshop)
Upkeep native garden or produce garden
Take an opportunity to immerse your class in nature
Take photos of the school's nature and learn about its importance
ACT Engage in a community/school challenge
Participate in a local or international interschool STEM or environmentally focused event/challenge
External challenge (i.e. participate in external environmental challenge)
Celebrate Environmental days (i.e. World Ocean Day, Plastic Free July, Walk to School days, National Recycle Week etc).
ACT Citizen Science Projects
Coral Watch
Great Citizen Science Data Collection (reef)
Who did you SHARE or collaborate with in the community?
Your local government (i.e. councils, municipalities, locality)
Your state government (i.e. state schools and state environmental agencies)
Your national government (e.g. Commonwealth Government, Department of Education)
Marine park based or your local industry/business (e.g. tourism operation)
Collaborate with another school in conservation activity or learning opportunity
How did you SHARE your achievements, messaging or achievements?
Use the Reef Guardian Online Portal or Closed Facebook group to share your achievements or connect with other Reef Guardian Schools (i.e. photos, resources, organizing an interschool event)
Use of education resources provided by partner organisation (excluding the Reef Authority)
Partner organisation participation in ‘school led’ environmental activity/project
Publicise within the school community (e.g. assembly, newsletters, social media)
Publicise to the broader community (e.g. media, community forums or conferences)
Share learning environmental experiences/resources with other schools
How did you SHARE Reef Guardian School Program membership?
Display RGS Fence sign
Acquire a Reef Guardian sun shirt and share a picture of your club or leadership program in the Reef Guardian Portal
Host a cluster/interschool event
Reward Reef Guardians with environmental leader awards
Recruit other teachers to the RGS Program.
On share information via social media or word of mouth
How did your school Care, Learn, Act and Share to promote the next generation of reef STEWARDs?
Complete at least one action from Care, Learn, Act and Share
Change the mind set of students to instil life long learning and positive nature behaviours
Students and families want to enrol in the school because of its great work as a Reef Guardian School
Implementing the Reef Guardian School Program had a positive influence on increasing wellbeing and attendance or sense of belonging for students.
Participate and promote the Reef Guardian School on a national level
Participate and promote the Reef Guardian School on a international level
Significantly increase opportunities for students to Connect, Care, Learn, take actions and share achievements.
Be an active Reef Guardian School by completing an annual action plan >10 years in a row
If a member of the community was to ask, the majority of teachers and students would b e able to explain what it meant to be a Reef Guardian School.