Introduce students to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority as the organisation that conserves and protects the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Locate information from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority website about the way the Great Barrier Reef and its plants and animals are looked after. Also see: www.reefed.edu.au Taking Action As a class, suggest how we can make sure people look after the Great Barrier Reef.

Research scientist videoing benthic transects for coral bleaching survey at Magnetic Island

Students could:

• Contribute to a class article for the school newsletter;
• Prepare a display of special places and features in the Great Barrier Reef and invite other classes or parents to view it and ask questions
• Speak to other classes about the use and care of Great Barrier Reef areas;
• Letters to newspaper editors;
• Inviting knowledgeable people to speak in class;
• Make a poster to advertise the use of Great Barrier Reef areas; and
• Create a calendar illustrated with Great Barrier Reef environments and/or plants and animals.

Reflection

Ask students to complete a self-assessment and reflection activity using the following questions:

• What is the most important thing I have learned about the Great Barrier Reef?
• What have I learned about myself and how I might treat this environment?
• What would I still like to find out about this special area?