Sunshine Coast school education programs

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 the table below for more program information and to book.

Program	Description	Activity	Style of activity	Theme	Age	Find out more or book
Bankfoot House Education Program	Free education program linked to the National Curriculum. Hands on activities include butter making, wash day, farming, and heritage tours through the 1868 house.	Hands on activities	Excursion	Sunshine Coast pioneering history	Primary school students	Website link
Bat Chats	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.	In class talks	Educational workshop	Wildlife Conservation First Nations	Year 3 - 8	Email for officer availability.
BatPod	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.	Incursion resources	Choose-your-own adventure podcast Self-guided	Wildlife Conservation First Nations	Year 3 - 8	Listen to the podcast here.
Beach Clean Up Program	We partner with volunteers, schools, businesses and community groups to protect our local beaches and coastal environments from litter and marine debris.	Marine debris litter collection from beaches. Litter sorting and recording with Tangaroa Blue. Schools Beach Clean Up Event.	Hands-on Make a difference Excursion	Coastal Sustainability	Year 4 - 12	Website link
Biodiversity through Biosecurity	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.	Workshop	Incursion	Biosecurity Conservation	Year 4-12 and adult workshops	Find out more  or  Book online
BushCare Mates	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.	Tree planting Hand weeding Educational workshops	Hands-on Make a difference Excursion Workshop	Conservation Plants Coastal Rivers and catchments Wildlife	All school ages – must be able to take direction.	Website link or apply online
Coastal Discovery Van & Clean Ocean Champions	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.	Workshop Online resources	Incursion Resources	Coastal	All school ages – must be able to take direction.	Website link
Environment resources and publications	Information sheets, brochures, articles, videos and links.	Online information for teaching or school projects	Resources	Coastal Rivers and catchments Water Wildlife Fire Cultural heritage Conservation Plants Sustainability	All ages	Website link
Kids in Action	A program inspiring positive action and capacity amongst our future environmental custodians. The program brings schools together to explore local environmental issues.	Day of workshops Conference	Excursion Self-guided	Connecting to Country First Nations Citizen science Climate change Wildlife Plants	Designed primarily for students from Years 5-8.	Website link
Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens	Self-guided walks/experiences to discover the story of the natural landscape that shapes the character of the Sunshine Coast.	Self-guided walks	Excursion	Connecting to Country First Nations Citizen science Wildlife Plants Art in Nature	All ages	Website link
Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary	Pre-booked guided walks are conducted by volunteer guides with a passion for sharing the stories of the plants and animals that make the wetlands unique.	Guided walks	Excursion	Connecting to Country First Nations Citizen science Climate change Wildlife Plants Wetlands Habitat	All school ages – must be able to take direction.	Website link
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve	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.	Guided walks	Excursion	Connecting to Country First Nations Citizen science Climate change Wildlife Plants	All school ages – must be able to take direction.	Website link
Night Creatures library talks	Library talks provided free to the community, to promote the ecological importance of flying-foxes and the role of wildlife carers.	Library talks	Educational workshop	Wildlife Conservation	All ages	Contact Sunshine Coast libraries
Rocky shore fact sheet	View our free rocky shore species identification fact sheet and marvel at the magic of life among the rocks.	Online resource	Resources	Coastal	All ages	Download here
Schools National Tree Day	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.	Tree planting	Hands-on Make a difference Excursion	Conservation Plants Coastal Rivers and catchments Wildlife	All school ages – must be able to take direction.	Delivered through BushCare Mates program
Smart Paws Pet Awareness	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.	In class talks	Incursion	Responsible pet ownership	Prep - Year 6	Website Link or book online
Turtle Conservation	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.	In class talk	Educational workshop	Wildlife Conservation	Year 1 - 7	Email with preferred date and time for availability.
Waste 2 Resource Education Program	A service provided free to schools on the Sunshine Coast. The program teaches students, parents and teachers about the '3Rs' (reduce, reuse and recycle).	In class talks	Incursion Resources	Sustainability	All pre-school and school ages	Website link or book online