CSIRO, in conjunction with Earthwatch Australia and founding partner Shell Australia conducted the TeachWild program between 2011 and 2014.
Download the project annual report Download the TeachWild Marine Debris Education Kit for years 6 to 10
TeachWild was a national program connecting regional and remote teachers, students and Shell employees through experiential learning aimed at tackling the global issue of marine debris. During the citizen science program, we inspired a generation of young scientists to change how they make their decisions as future leaders. The program was a unique national partnership aimed at answering some key questions:
- Where does marine debris come from?
- Where does marine debris go?
- How much marine debris is produced nationally in Australia?
- What it the risk marine debris poses to wildlife?
In just three short years, the TeachWild partnership has produced some remarkable achievements: over 170 beaches were surveyed around the coast of Australia (equating to a survey every 100 km) by CSIRO scientists and students to develop Australia’s first national risk assessment for marine debris; 5700 students have partnered with leading researchers to understand the causes and effects of marine debris and contributed to the solution; 160 teachers and Shell employees have worked in the field alongside scientists conducting cutting edge research into the fate of plastics on our marine wildlife, and; a body of free education resources, materials and tools are continually being used by educators and government agencies across the country to engage students in the issue of marine debris.
Access the National Marine Debris Database