Marine Turtles are long-lived, slow growing and late maturing.  This virtual visit takes students to the Reef HQ Aquarium Turtle Hospital that provides a dedicated facility where sick and injured marine turtles can be cared for and rehabilitated. 

Turtle Connections provides a fun, educational and interactive introduction to the world of Marine Turtles and the conservation of these endangered species.  Presented by experienced marine educators, participants go behind the scenes to visit our turtle hospital, meet the patients and learn how they are cared for.  Student interaction with our presenters is encouraged and questions welcomed throughout the session. Despite protection marine turtles face a number of threats:

• Fishing nets, lines and hooks – Please take all your fishing tackle home.
• Boat Strikes – ‘Go slow for those below’ and keep an eye out for turtles.
• Litter – Turtles and other sea creatures mistake it for food.
• Plastic Bags – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
• This program is delivered by ZOOM only.

A reef is a ridge of material at or near the surface of the ocean. Reefs can occur naturally. Natural reefs are made of rocks or the skeletons of small animals called corals. Australia is home to one of the most fascinating reefs in the world, The Great Barrier Reef.

Reef HQ Aquarium is situation on the Great Barrier Reef and is very experienced in the delivery of VC programs to school students.

Year Level: 3-6

Duration: 45 minutes

No.

Teacher resources are available here:

• Worksheets:

  Marine Turtle identification sheet – dichotomous key

• Webpages:

  • GBRMPA – Marine turtles

  • Green Turtle Research Program

  • Raine Island Recovery Project

  • Reef Beat – 2019 Junior Outlook Poster 7

  • Reef Beat – 2019 Activity sheets booklet

No prior knowledge is required.

In this video conference students will:

• Investigate elements of the turtle life-cycle
• Develop an awareness of the greatest conservation threats facing our turtles
• Learn about the interdependence of turtles living on the reef

In this video conference students will,

• Virtually visit the turtle hospital with an opportunity to ask staff individual questions.
• Hear about facts and details about turtles on the Great Barrier Reef delivered by a Reef HQ team member and supported with images, video clips and interactive questions.
• Have access to supporting materials for pre- and/or post-event study.

Science: Science Understanding

• Living things have characteristics that distinguish them from non-living things and things that were once living, including fossils (VC2S4U01)
• Organisms have evolved over time, as seen in fossils and scientific records; the structural features and behaviours of living organisms enable them to thrive in their environments (VC2S6U02)
• Habitats can be described by their physical conditions; changing the physical conditions of a habitat, including by human activity, may affect the growth and survival of organisms (VC2S6U01)