The sun was shining, and the waters were calm as our Year 10 Geography students set out for a field trip to Moreton Bay and the Manly Foreshore. Participating in the Overboard and Underwater program run by the Moreton Bay Environmental Education Centre, this full-day excursion allowed the students to step into the shoes of an Environmental Manager, observing marine debris and investigating its impact on marine environments.
On board the boat Inspiration, the young Geographers collected data on marine debris and microplastics. Next, they explored the Manly foreshore and conducted a rubbish audit using the Tangaroa Blue method while recording it using a geospatial survey app so that they could map the data back at the College. This excursion was perfectly timed with the Clean Up Schools Day and our OC Geographers helped out by collecting all of the rubbish within Bayside Park and on the shoreline. They concluded the day by analysing management strategies and recommending ways to minimise marine debris, all while addressing key inquiry questions about environmental sustainability.
This hands-on experience aligns with the United Nations Global Sustainable Development goal to conserve and sustainably use the world’s oceans, seas, and marine resources. The students had a successful day complementing their classroom activities with real-world learning, better equipping them to think critically about environmental issues and contribute to a more sustainable future.
