September 2002
Report from NT delegate - Rebecca Solah

"Helping teachers understand marine science"

MESA in the Northern Territory has been pretty quiet over the last few months but things have been happening quietly in the background. There have been a few attempts to recruit new members through AAEE and other groups with many people interested in what is happening but not so many interested in financial membership. However, I am confident that numbers will pick up when people see the benefits of membership. If you would like more information on membership in the NT please call Rebecca Solah on 8999 2170 or email rebecca.solah@nt.gov.au.

What's happening in Marine Education in the NT

There is a strong interest in marine science among both students and teachers in the NT, and there are a lot of resources out there for those interested, but what the Northern Territory really needed was it's own marine resource for schools. As a result, NT government Fisheries staff have decided to produce a number of integrated units of work focused on marine resources in the NT, currently being trialed by teachers and due for release before the 2003 school year. These units integrate English, Social Education and Science learning outcomes into three modules spanning the five Primary school levels.

Module 1 was trialed by teachers and students in year 1 at an NT school.

Module 1, aimed at Key Growth Point 3 and Band 1 students, integrates a number of learning areas around the Indigenous 'Eagle and the Gull' story. Module 1 focuses on developing an understanding of the interactions NT animals and plants experience in their natural environment and instilling a value of sharing the resources we have.

Module 2 builds on the ideas raised in Module 1 by looking at what we have in our vast and great oceans through the book "The treacherous travels of Tasman Turtle". Module 2 is aimed at Band 2 students giving students the opportunity to study human interaction with the natural environment through supporting books such as the "Hidden Forest" and through Webquest online activities.

The Module 3 integrated unit of work is developed around the Tim Winton book "Blueback". Some of the ideas that students in Band 3 and 4 will address in this module are what is marine science, how do we manage the marine environment so it is sustainable for future generations, sharing resources and marine protected areas.
The modules will be launched early in 2003 with a free inservice on marine studies to be provided to interested teachers. Look out for more information in the bulletins later in the year.