MESA is a national organisation that brings together people interested in the study and enjoyment of coastal and marine environments.
MESA provides a forum for sharing ideas to facilitate the development of leading environmental education and interpretation programs.
MESA also promotes the sustainable use of marine and coastal environments through education.
Seaweek is a national initiative conducted annually to focus community awareness, provide information and encourage an appreciation of our marine and coastal environments. Each year a different theme is chosen.
Seaweek is a celebration of the uniqueness of our "Ocean Planet"
Our aims are to:
Support educators in delivering best practice marine education in the Australasian region
Promote networking through the MESA website, forums and the MESA newsletter "Undercurrents"
Facilitate training, workshops and conferences for members
Develop community understanding, appreciation and action for the marine and coastal environment through activities.
Encourage and contribute to national and international marine education initiatives.
February 2010
Each year, the Marine Education Society of Australasia (MESA) runs Seaweek to promote educational issues of relevance to the marine environment.
In 2010, the theme is ‘Oceans of Life – ours to explore and conserve’ in recognition of 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity.
Why Oceans of Life as the Seaweek theme?
Australia is a marine nation. We have one of the largest ocean territories in the world, and it drives our climate and weather, generates employment, provides food and resources, and offers lifestyle and recreational opportunities. (Source:CSIRO)
Australia’s oceans also support rich biodiversity which we aim to explore in Seaweek 2010.
Seaweek in 2010 can:
• Inspire and inform you about the significance and value of our marine and coastal environment.
• Initiate interest and actions for our marine and coastal environments.
• Introduce you to activities and events facilitated in some states, through our State Representatives.
• Provide you with educational resources available on the MESA website for your classroom based activities.
• Involve your school and community participation in marine studies and exploration.
Oceans Marine Art and Issues Primary School Art Challenge
There are separate competitions for K-2, Years 3 & 4 and Years 5 & 6. The tasks include hand drawn sketches, paintings or Digital Artworks. The winner and runner up in each age category will receive a certificate, book and art material prize.
2010 Seaweek Banner and Ecard Photography Competition
MESA invites primary and secondary students to create art work with clear messages about our Marine environment. The theme of the work should tie in with the 2010 MESA Seaweek theme: “Oceans of Life; Oceans to explore, ours to restore”
There are two categories for this competition. Entrants can submit an original image for the Ecard category or draw, paint, glue, splash or sketch a full sized banner for the banner category.
As part of its Great Barrier Reef Climate Change Action Plan 2007-2012, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has developed a suite of educational resources to help educators teach about the complex impacts of climate change on coral reefs.
