on 28/04/2026
The Marine Discovery Centre has released a new suite of educational resources to support South Australian teachers and students in understanding algal blooms and their impacts on marine environments.
Developed in collaboration with EMS Experiencing Marine Sanctuaries, the Great Southern Reef Foundation, the Department for Environment and Water, University of Adelaide experts, Outside the Box Learning and Green Adelaide, the project has been funded by the Government of South Australia.
Supporting Classroom Learning
The resource suite includes:
- Bloom or Doom Understanding Algal Blooms, a Porci’s Ocean Patrol animated episode
- Expert Q and A videos featuring marine scientists
- Curriculum linked teacher resources and classroom activities
These materials are designed to support primary classrooms by presenting scientific concepts in structured and accessible ways.
What Students Will Learn
Through these resources, students explore:
- What algae are and how algal blooms form
- The role of algae in marine ecosystems
- How algal blooms can affect marine life
- How scientists monitor and respond to these events
For example, students learn that algae can grow rapidly under certain conditions, forming blooms. Some blooms may reduce oxygen levels, block light, or produce toxins that affect marine organisms .
Inquiry Based Learning in Action
The accompanying teacher resource outlines a structured approach that supports:
- Observation and questioning
- Discussion and collaborative thinking
- Creative and hands on responses
- Further investigation and research
The materials include activity cards with prompts such as “Have a chat”, “Have a think”, and “Create and play”, supporting a range of learning styles and classroom contexts.
Curriculum Connections
The resources are aligned with the Australian Curriculum and integrate learning across Science and HASS.
Students engage with concepts including:
- Ecosystems, habitats and food chains
- Environmental change and human impact
- Scientific inquiry skills such as observing, questioning and interpreting data
They also support cross curriculum priorities, including Sustainability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures, encouraging students to explore connections between people, place and environment .
Understanding Local Marine Environments
The materials include a focus on South Australia’s coastal environments and the Great Southern Reef. This supports students to explore local marine ecosystems and biodiversity.
Students investigate how environmental conditions such as temperature, nutrients and water movement can influence algal growth and marine systems.
Encouraging Environmental Awareness
The resources also highlight actions that can support healthier marine environments, such as reducing pollution and caring for local ecosystems.
Students are encouraged to consider how everyday actions can influence the environment and to share their learning with others .
Explore the Resources
Teachers can explore the full suite of videos and download supporting materials here: https://www.marinediscoverycentre.com.au/algal-blooms
Supporting Science Learning in Schools
These resources provide structured, curriculum aligned opportunities for students to develop understanding of marine environments and environmental change through observation, inquiry and discussion.
Share:
