Schools Education Program

Educational programs for students

Our experienced and qualified education officers know just how to engage students with exciting experiences both indoors and out.

Authentic, hands-on learning experiences are vital components in education. That's why all our education programs, from early childhood to tertiary, are designed to provide students with enjoyable, interactive, and educational experiences.

The Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre's schools program is an excellent way to introduce students to the wonders of the marine and freshwater environment. All our sessions include opportunities for students to interact with live animals and provide hands on experiences through field trips, the use of technology and a range of specimens available at the centre.

Our courses are aligned to the Victorian Curriculum and linked to the Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre’s themes of marine and freshwater environments, fisheries and sustainability.

Please click the links below for detailed information about our programs.

• Early childhood
• Foundation - Year 6
• Years 7 - 10
• VCE students
• Activities for all year levels
• Tertiary students

Seas-the-Day - learning on, in and for our seas.

Seas-the-Day is an in-person, science focused excursion for students in years 5/6 and 9/10.

The excursion consists of a 2.5 hour boat trip and a 1 hour interactive session in the Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre, Queenscliff.

The curriculum focus of the excursions is Science level 5-6 and 9-10. Students will develop an understanding of:

• organisms, their relationship to the environment and the impacts of human endeavours on organisms
• key biological models, theories and concepts including direct observation of an aquatic environment through personal observation
• data collection.

The excursion  is supplemented by pre- and post-activity resources for in-class use.

Participation in the Seas-the-Day program is targeted to Victorian Government state schools, who meet the following criteria:

• Students from disadvantaged or low socio-economic schools,
• Students with a disability
• Rural and regional students
• Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD)

To enquire about the Seas-the-Day program please email  
marine.discovery@vfa.vic.gov.au

Seas-the-day is funded by the Victorian Department of Education Strategic Partnership Program for 2024 and 2025. As part of the SPP Program we will deliver 30 excursions annually.

Teacher resources

Download materials for students, find discussion topics and learn more about school excursions at the MDFC, here

Make a booking for the Schools Program

Book a class trip to the MFDC, here

Child Safety

The MFDC is committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of our people and visitors.

All staff and volunteers working at Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre (MFDC) have current Working with Children Check clearance status or equivalent VIT background checks.

The VFA has in place a Child Safe Program to ensure that everyone is aware of our responsibilities to keep children safe and the procedures to follow should a situation arise.  The program includes a Child Safe Policy, Child Safe Reporting Procedure, the VFA Child Safe Code of Conduct and the required WWCC.

The MFDC requires a staff member from each participating school to be present at all times, as  MFDC staff do not have authority over or supervisory responsibility for participating students.