Ocean Youth Launceston

Ocean Youth Launceston is a FREE school holiday program for children aged 10 - 15 years.

Combining digital storytelling with nature-based excursions, OY Launceston builds knowledge of our local aquatic habitats and teaches some new skills along the way!

Join us over five sessions to learn about some of the amazing aquatic ecosystems right on our doorsteps, and learn new digital storytelling skills to bring your experience to life on the screen. 

Session one: We kick things off with a  professional digital storytelling workshop with Gaia Discovery, who will teach us how to create an engaging video with shooting, interviewing and editing tips. 

Session two: We head to the Seahorse World in Beauty Point to learn about some of the truly spectacular aquatic species that live in the kanamaluka / Tamar estuary, before heading across to the Platypus House where the fun continues.

Session three: The Tamar Island Wetlands is one of the most diverse and valuable ecosystems along the kanamaluka, we visit the Parks and Wildlife Service team to learn about the wetlands and the creatures that live there. PLUS we'll be joined by Wallaby Walkabout Tours for a cultural workshop with activities such as doing art using ochre to paint on paperbark, fire making using the friction method, and making small huts from paperbark and sticks. All the while learning how Tasmania's first people and traditional owners lived on, cared for and interacted with the estuary.

Session four: Armed with our new knowledge of our local aquatic ecosystems, we take a look at one of the threats to the future of these ecosystems - plastic, rubbish and waste. Led by Plastic Free Launceston, we'll learn about the impacts of this threat and how we can all do our part to get rid of rubbish out of our waterways.

Session five: time to wrap up the OY experience! During excursions, participants were tasked with creating their own short film using the digital storytelling skills gained from Gaia Discovery in session one. In this final session, we'll be showcasing our short films in front of family and friends in a celebration of our aquatic habitats, species, and the people that work with them! 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• All participants must attend all five sessions (unless unwell).
• All participants must bring: a smart phone or camera for filming at each excursion, lunch, water, and appropriate outerwear.
• All participants are expected to create a short film using footage collected during excursions.
• All participants must follow Government COVID requirements, including following close-contact rules.
• All participants must be accompanied by an adult.