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Kids are jumping with joy in front of the shark trailer

SharkSmart school workbooks

The NSW Shark Management Strategy (SMS) is a great real-world example of working scientifically to design and produce solutions to a problem.

In 2015, the NSW Government recognised a need to address the increase in human-shark interactions along our coast. Over the next five years, a suite of shark mitigation technologies were trialled such as drones, SMART drumlines and shark listening stations. Scientists also tagged over 500 sharks to learn more about their movements to inform future shark safety measures. The knowledge gained from this research and the trials helps governments make decisions about beach safety and also helps people make smarter decisions about how they use the ocean. In short to help people be SharkSmart.

We have developed a set of workbooks to help teachers use the work of the SMS as an example of authentic science and technology learning. The content of this website, the videos on this page and throughout the website will help students complete the workbooks.

The workbooks are designed to support students in working towards NSW syllabus outcomes. We encourage teachers to use their professional judgement about whether the specified workbook is appropriate for their students and to use one of the other versions if they are better suited to the cohort they are working with.

Primary

Science and technology

  • ST1-4LW-S describes observable features of living things and their environments

PDHPE

  • PD1-7 explores actions that help make home and school healthy, safe and physically active spaces
  • PD1-6 understands contextual factors that influence themselves and others’ health, safety, wellbeing and participation in physical activity

Science and technology

  • ST2-4LW-S compares features and characteristics of living and non-living things
  • ST3-4LW-S examines how the environment affects the growth, survival and adaptation of living things

Geography

  • GE2-1 examines features and characteristics of places and environments
  • GE2-2 describes the ways people, places and environments interact
  • GE2-3 examines differing perceptions about the management of places and environments
  • GE2-4 acquires and communicates geographical information using geographical tools for inquiry

PDHPE

  • PD2-7 describes strategies to make home and school healthy, safe and physically active spaces
  • PD3-6 distinguishes contextual factors that influence health, safety, wellbeing and participation in physical activity which are controllable and uncontrollable


Secondary

The two secondary workbooks are designed to be used independently of each other. If you choose to use both, remove the duplicated sections from one of the books ie. the scientist profiles, the pages on how the findings of the SMS inform the recommendations and the social media pages.

Science

  • SC4-1VA, SC5-1VA appreciates the importance of science in their lives and the role of scientific inquiry in increasing understanding of the world around them
  • SC4-14LW relates the structure and function of living things to their classification, survival and reproduction
  • SC4-15LW explains how new biological evidence changes people’s understanding of the world
  • SC5-15LW explains how biological understanding has advanced through scientific discoveries, technological developments and the needs of society

Geography

  • GE4-4 examines perspectives of people and organisations on a range of geographical issues
  • GE4-5 discusses management of places and environments for their sustainability
  • GE5-3 analyses the effect of interactions and connections between people, places and environments

Marine and Aquaculture Technology

  • MAR4-1 identifies the nature and scope of the marine and aquatic environment
  • MAR4-2 identifies and describes the components of some marine ecosystems
  • MAR4-7 identifies the need to care for and protect the marine environment
  • MAR5-1 identifies and describes a range of marine and aquatic ecosystems and investigates their complex interrelationships
  • MAR5-7 identifies, describes and evaluates the ethical, social and sustainability issues related to the marine environment

Technology Mandatory

  • TE4-1DP designs, communicates and evaluates innovative ideas and creative solutions to authentic problems or opportunities
  • TE4-10TS explains how people in technology related professions contribute to society now and into the future

Marine and Aquaculture Technology

  • MAR5-3 identifies, describes and evaluates the effects humans have had on the marine environment
  • MAR4-11 identifies employment opportunities in aquaculture, marine and maritime industries
  • MAR4-13 selects and presents the results of appropriate research from a variety of sources
  • MAR5-11 identifies and describes a range of aquaculture, marine and maritime vocations and leisure pursuits

PDHPE

  • PD4-7 investigates health practices, behaviours and resources to promote health, safety, wellbeing and physically active communities
  • PD5-7 plans, implements and critiques strategies to promote health, safety, wellbeing and participation in physical activity in their communities


Shark week for schools virtual excursion

A virtual excursion like no other, NSW students were transported live from their classrooms to North Coast Beaches to learn more about the latest DPI research on sharks.

Shark Harbour

Shark Harbour is a one hour documentary that follows Australia's leading shark scientists investigate a spate of shark bites in the waters of Australia's biggest city - Sydney. Targeting Great White Sharks, Tiger Sharks and Bull Shark’s, they want to know if - in a city of four and half million people, surrounded by much loved waterways and beaches can sharks and humans safely co-exist.

Access the Shark Harbour documentary.

* Please note the documentary starts at 1min 30sec

Check out our YouTube playlist which has lots of shark tracking videos and myth busters

Watch on YouTube
Shark strategy illustration