Sea Turtle Foundation Inspires the Next Generation at Bluewater State School
On the 29th of July 2025, the Sea Turtle Foundation (STF) had the privilege of visiting Bluewater State School to deliver our exciting School Education Program to an energetic and knowledgeable group of Year 4 students. The visit was part of STF’s broader initiative to educate and inspire young minds about sea turtle conservation, ocean health, and the impact of human actions on marine environments.
From the get go, it was clear that the Bluewater students were already budding marine biologists in the making! They enthusiastically shared their knowledge of sea turtle life cycles, nesting behaviours, and the challenges faced by hatchlings in their first journey to the ocean.
Through our interactive session, they deepened their understanding of sea turtles at all life stages, learning about threats from predators, climate change, habitat loss, and most strikingly, the dangers of bycatch from industrial fishing and much more!
One of the most impactful moments came when students watched real footage of bottom trawling in action. The visuals were powerful and sparked genuine concern among the class. Many students expressed shock at how destructive this fishing method can be to sea turtles and their marine ecosystems.
During the visit, students also had the rare opportunity to see and touch a real green sea turtle carapace. This hands-on experience allowed them to explore turtle anatomy and learn some surprising facts, like how sea turtle carapaces are made of keratin, the same material as our nails! We also shared the fun fact that green turtles get their name not from their shell colour, but from the green fat under their skin, caused by their herbivorous diet.
Looking ahead, the Year 4 students at Bluewater will continue their turtle education by creating personalised sea turtle knowledge booklets. These projects will integrate English and Science skills, as students research and present arguments for whether sea turtles can be better protected in the wild or in human-managed environments. It’s a creative and critical thinking challenge that promises to deepen their understanding even further.
The feedback from the Bluewater team was heartwarming. Year 4 teacher Sue Christensen shared, “Thank you… thank you… thank you! We so love it and thank you so much for your time, brilliant presentation and sensational displays/artefacts for the kids to refer to. We love turtles and this element from you Gabbie adds the next level. Thank you.”
STF was also moved to receive beautiful handmade thank-you cards from the students; a testament to their engagement and enthusiasm.
The Bluewater visit follows STF’s successful School Education Program sessions earlier this year at Cranbrook and Bohlevale State Schools. Across these sessions, students participated in workshops, solution-focused group activities, and creative performances exploring turtle life stages, threats, and conservation strategies. Their responses showed the incredible potential of education to empower action.
We extend our deepest thanks to the Big Blue Ocean Foundation for funding this impactful program. Your contributions help us bring sea turtle conservation into classrooms and inspire future generations of ocean advocates.
As we reflect on our visit to Bluewater and the many other schools we’ve had the joy of working with, one thing is clear: young people care deeply about the environment and are ready to take action. The Sea Turtle Foundation is proud to support their journey as future conservationists, and we look forward to continuing our educational outreach into 2025 and beyond.