15 February 2007

Today, 20 James Cook University student teachers will be swapping the classroom for the coastline.

They are undertaking professional development with the Reef HQ Education Team to learn more about mangroves, rocky shorelines, seagrass beds and beach front communities.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Education Manager Fred Nucifora said the training would increase their confidence in taking students on excursions to the coast.

“It’s important for them to realise that taking their students out to the coastline doesn’t require a great deal of scientific knowledge or field experience,” he said.

“We’re going to show them the easy way to conduct educationally beneficial field work activities with their students, and more importantly, how to make learning fun and exciting.

“The training will provide them with an opportunity to observe and participate in various fieldwork activities.

“They will learn about the different plants and animals living in coastal habitats, their threats and what can be done to ensure a sustainable future for our coastline. 

“It’s important that teachers know how to conduct field exercises with their students as children tend to grasp a concept a lot better if they can get out of the classroom and see first hand what they are being taught.

“The more students can understand the coastline and it’s importance and connection to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park the brighter the future will be for one of Australia’s greatest icons – our Great Barrier Reef.”