Sunshine Coast school education programs
We have a large variety of education programs and events available to schools and groups.
A large variety of council-supported education programs and events are available to schools and groups, from hands on activities to self-guided excursions which explore a wide range of sustainability, conservation, pet education and wildlife themes.
Please note availability of some activities may vary depending on staff availability and waiting lists may apply.
See below for more program information and to book.
Subscribe for opportunities and updates on the School education program.
Bankfoot House Education Program
Bankfoot House Education Program
Description: Education program linked to the National Curriculum. Hands on activities include butter making, wash day, farming, and heritage tours through the 1868 house.
Activity: Hands on activities
Style of Activity: Excursion
Theme: Sunshine Coast pioneering history
Age: Primary school students
Bat Chats
Bat Chats
Description: A service provided free to schools on the Sunshine Coast. A lesson where a conservation officer teaches students and teachers about the ecological importance of flying-foxes and students are required to problem-solve how to manage an urban roost.
Activity: In Class talks
Style of activity: Educational workshop
Theme: Wildlife Conversation First Nations
Age: Year 3 - 8
To find out more or make a booking, Email for officer availability.
BatPod
BatPod
Description: A self-guided podcast where listeners become junior conservation officers. The podcast shares First Nations knowledge, factual information and expert guidance to encourage student’s empathy towards both flying-foxes and humans and inspire solutions.
Activity: Incursion resources
Style of activity: Choose your own adventure podcast self-guided
Theme: Wildlife Conservation First Nations
Age: Year 3 - 8
Beach Clean Up Program
Beach Clean Up Program
Description: We partner with volunteers, schools, businesses and community groups to protect our local beaches and coastal environments from litter and marine debris.
Activity: Marine debris litter collection from beaches. Litter sorting and recording with Tangaroa Blue. Schools Beach Clean Up Event.
Style of activity: Hands-on Make a difference Excursion
Theme: Coastal Sustainability
Age: Year 4 - 12
Invasive plants and animals program
Invasive plants and animals program
Description: Is a FREE, fun educational program designed for all ages. Fill in this form to book in for a Invasive Plants and Animals Awareness workshop.
Activity: Workshop
Style of activity: Incursion
Theme: Invasive plants and animals on the Sunshine Coast
Age: Year 4 - 12 and adult workshops
BushCare Mate
BushCare Mate
Description: A school conservation program that uses bushcare and tree planting to educate and inspire students to connect with their local environment while fostering a sense of community. Funding for transport available.
Activity: Tree planting, Hand weeding and Educational workshops
Style of activity: Hands-on Make a difference Excursion Workshop
Theme: Conservation Plants Coastal Rivers and Catchments Wildlife
Age: All school ages - must be able to take direction
Coastal Discovery Van & Clean Ocean Champions
Coastal Discovery Van & Clean Ocean Champions
Description: Is a new educational tool, fitted with interpretative and information displays. These show coastal processes that influence our beaches and waterways. Online lessons and activities in Coastal Guardian passport.
Activity: Workshop Online resources
Style of activity: Incursion Resources
Theme: Coastal
Age: Primary and Secondary - must be able to take direction
Flying Fox Unit of Study
Flying Fox Unit of Study
Description: A downloadable resource provided free to schools on the Sunshine Coast. This Unit of Study aligns flying foxes ecology and their critical pollination services with the national curriculum for various years. It also provides in class resources, First Nations stories and excursion opportunities to visit a flying fox roost.
Activity: Online resources, self-guided excursions and incursion resources
Style of activity: Incursion, resources and self-guided excursion
Theme: Wildlife conversation, First Nations
Age: Designed primarily for students from Years 3 - 8
Find out more and download the resources here
Kids in Action
Kids in Action
Description: A program inspiring positive action and capacity amongst our future environmental custodians. The program brings schools together to explore local environmental issues.
Activity: Day of workshops Conference
Style of activity: Excursion Self Guided
Theme: Connecting to Country First nations Citizen science Climate change Wildlife Plants
Age: Designed primarily for students from Years 5 -8
Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens
Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens
Description: Self-guided walks/experiences to discover the story of the natural landscape that shapes the character of the Sunshine Coast.
Activity: Self-guided walks
Style of activity: Excursion
Theme: Connecting to Country First Nations Citizen science Wildlife Plants Art in Nature
Age: All ages
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve
Description: Pre-booked guided walks are conducted by volunteer guides with a passion for sharing the stories of the plants, animals and fungi that make the reserve special.
Activity: Guided walks
Style of activity: Excursion
Theme: Connecting to Country First Nations Citizen science Climate change Wildlife Plants
Age: All school ages – must be able to take direction.
Night Creatures library talks
Night Creatures library talks
Description: Library talks provided free to the community, to promote the ecological importance of flying-foxes and the role of wildlife carers.
Activity: Library talks
Style of activity: Educational workshop
Theme: Wildlife Conservation
Age: All ages
Contact Sunshine Coast Libraries
Rocky shore fact sheet
Rocky shore fact sheet
Description: View our free rocky shore species identification fact sheet and marvel at the magic of life among the rocks.
Activity: Online resources
Style of activity: Resources
Theme: Coastal
Age: All ages
Schools National Tree Day
Schools National Tree Day
Description: A national day for schools to get involved in planting trees, generally held annually on the last friday in July. We can coordinate tree planting activities in council’s environment reserves on this day or anytime of the year. Funding for transport available.
Activity: Tree planting
Style of activity: Hands-on Make a difference Excursion
Theme: Conservation Plants Coastal Rivers and catchments Wildlife
Age: All school ages - must be able to take direction
Delivered through BushCare Mates program
Smart Paws Pet Awareness
Smart Paws Pet Awareness
Description: A fun and educational program on responsible pet ownership and dog bite prevention. The program has been designed to help children understand how to interact with animals confidently and safely.
Activity: In Class talks
Style of activity: Incursion
Theme: Responsible pet ownership
Age: Kindy - Year 6
Turtle Conservation
Turtle Conservation
Description: A service provided free to schools on the Sunshine Coast. This program teaches students and teachers about the lifecycle, biology and threats to our critically endangered loggerhead turtles who nest on our beaches each summer. A fun program which is tailored to specific age groups.
Activity: In class talk
Style of activity: Educational workshop
Theme: Wildlife Conservation
Age: Year 1 - 7
Email with preferred date and time for availability
Waste 2 Resource Education Program
Waste 2 Resource Education Program
Description: A service provided free to schools on the Sunshine Coast. The program teaches students, parents and teachers about the '3Rs' (reduce, reuse and recycle).
Activity: In class talks
Style of activity: Incursion Resources
Theme: Sustainability
Age: All pre-school and school ages