Underwater Discoveries

Discovering the sense of wonder, learning about our local fish species and how to record them underwater is an exciting program for water confident children called Underwater Discoveries. Learning to snorkel and complete a marine fish survey are essential skills for any budding marine scientist.

New Zealand is surrounded by the sea. There are many weird and wonderful underwater creatures, very different to their land-based counterparts. It is fun to learn about the animals and plants that live beneath the ocean’s surface and what sort of conditions they live in, right here in the Bay of Plenty.

When marine scientists record the animals and plants that live in the sea, it is called marine surveying. Marine surveying is very important because only 5% of our marine environment in New Zealand has been recorded, we need more marine scientists to record our seas and understand the health of our seas.

15 years ago a program called MarineWatch was developed through, a collaboration between DOC and Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology (Bay of Plenty Polytechnic). Discovery Through Nature has re-developed this program and has been very successful in engaging students and developing skills in;

·       Water confidence

·       Knowledge on marine species in Bay of Plenty

·       Safe snorkel practises in the open water

·       Real-life science skills

·       Identification skills

·       Operating in a new aquatic medium

The program generates and supports many different styles of teaching and learning through classroom based activities, working in small groups, supporting independence and problem solving skills and getting wet and becoming a marine scientist. Students are enhancing their responsibility about conserving and protecting their own moana  through increased knowledge and first hand experience.