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.
Make connections with First Nation Peoples and their connection to land and sea
Students make connections with their country's or local indigenous/native culture and history about the reef
Students reflect on their own connection to the reef and marine ecosystems
Which Reef Guardian School Program curriculum resources were used to help students LEARN?
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?
Conservation
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)
Litter free lunches (i.e. plastic free lunch)
Education on assembly, newsletters and posters (i.e. educate school community with a talk at assembly, newsletters and posters)
Litter surveys and data gathering (data can be entered into Tangaroa Blue website)
ACT Reducing waste and recycling
School waste audit/source reduction plan (i.e. look at the amount of waste your school produces and make a plan to reduce it)
Bringing waste free lunches to school
Compost Bins
Worm Farms
ACT Reducing energy
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
Celebrate Environmental days (i.e. World Ocean Day, Plastic Free July, Walk to School days, National Recycle Week etc).
ACT Citizen Science Projects
Excursions to local waterway, parks, farms, reef
Who did you SHARE or collaborate with in the community?
Your country's or local indigenous/native groups
How did you SHARE your achievements, messaging or achievements?
Publicise within the school community (e.g. assembly, newsletters, social media)
How did you SHARE Reef Guardian School Program membership?
Reward Reef Guardians with environmental leader awards
How did your school Care, Learn, Act and Share to promote the next generation of reef STEWARDs?
Change the mind set of students to instil life long learning and positive nature behaviours
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.