S4G Education Program · Schools

Real ship. Real stories. Real-world learning.

Curriculum-linked learning and immersive engagement aboard the MV Steve Irwin, a real conservation vessel and a classroom like no other.

Our education mission

A real conservation vessel. A distinctive classroom.

We inspire curiosity about our oceans and planet, champion conservation and empower learners to shape a more sustainable future, turning knowledge into action.

Through hands-on exploration, inquiry, storytelling and creative challenges, students discover the ship’s history and operations while exploring marine environments, sustainability, technology, maritime heritage and culture.

MV Steve Irwin on campaign

Beyond knowledge

From bystander to upstander.

Learners explore how courage, determination, imagination and collective action help people support others and contribute to their communities and the planet.

Determination & resilience

Persevere, adapt and learn from setbacks.

Courage & responsibility

Speak up, act ethically and consider others.

Imagination & innovation

Question, create and explore new solutions.

Collaboration & active citizenship

Value different strengths and act together.

Learning with purpose

Three connected themes

01

The vessel and its stories

The MV Steve Irwin’s history, technologies, crew, maritime operations and conservation campaigns.

02

Marine environments and conservation

Marine ecosystems, biodiversity, sustainability and environmental challenges.

03

Culture, creativity and communication

How storytelling, art and media, from documentary to news, shape public awareness and inspire action.

Two ways to learn aboard

Choose your school experience

01 · Tailored ship tours & teacher-led learning

Explore the ship. Then make it your classroom.

A 30-minute Ship4Good-led tour tailored to your class’s current units of study, then up to 90 minutes to deliver your own lessons in distinctive shipboard spaces, with Ship4Good supervision and support.

How it works →

02 · Curriculum-linked school workshops

Hands-on, facilitated learning.

Workshops that immerse students in hands-on challenges and creative investigations inspired by the ship’s spaces, technologies and conservation stories, building collaborative problem-solving skills.

See the workshops →

01 · Tailored ship tours & teacher-led learning

Your teaching. An extraordinary learning environment.

Explore the ship · 30-minute guided tour

Tailored to your class

Our team introduces the ship’s history, crew, technology and conservation campaigns, focused on your year level, curriculum content and learning goals.

Primary: sustainability, marine environments, geography, history, design and technologies.
Secondary: design and engineering, environmental justice, legal studies, civics, media and activism.

Your classroom at sea · up to 90 minutes

You lead, we support

Lead your own lessons, investigations, discussions and group activities in selected learning spaces. Ship4Good staff supervise the vessel while teachers facilitate learning.

Included: teacher pack, safety briefing, tailored tour, learning spaces, S4G supervision and support.

Choose your learning spaces

Sea LabA purpose-built floating classroom with microscopes and a projector. Ideal for hands-on investigations and presentations.
Sailors’ MessThe crew’s gathering space, for group discussion and storytelling, with a TV for educational screenings.
Aft DeckOutdoor seating towards the stern for observation and group learning.
MidshipsOpen central deck with a stage for observation, demonstrations and class activities.
Helicopter HangarExplore the helicopter’s role in conservation missions and expedition planning, with space for group learning.

02 · S4G school workshops

Hands-on learning aboard

Curriculum-linked workshops for primary and secondary students, aligned with the Victorian Curriculum F–10. Adaptations for different year levels and learning areas are available on request.

01

Primary: Years 3–6 · Secondary: Years 7–9

Ocean GuardiansThree Marine Worlds, One Planet

Students become Ocean Guardians aboard the MV Steve Irwin, exploring three remarkable Australian marine environments: Port Phillip Bay, the Great Southern Reef and the Great Barrier Reef. Through hands-on investigations they discover the biodiversity of these environments, investigate threats and learn how research and conservation campaigns protect our oceans. Drawing on the ship’s campaigns in the Great Australian Bight and on the Great Barrier Reef, students design and present their own conservation campaign for Port Phillip Bay.

Victorian Curriculum connections

Science, Geography, History, Sustainability, Civics and Citizenship, Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical Capability, Personal and Social Capability

Book Ocean Guardians →
02

Primary: Years 1–6

Future Ship DesignersImagine, Build, Create

Step aboard and let your imagination set sail. Students discover how ships are designed and built, exploring the vessel’s technologies, structures and features. Drawing inspiration from nature and sustainable technologies, they become inventors, designers and eco-innovators, using drawing, construction and recycled materials to design and build their own sustainable ship of the future.

Victorian Curriculum connections

Design and Technologies, Visual Arts, Civics and Citizenship, Sustainability, History, Science, Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capability

Book Future Ship Designers →
03

Primary: Years 4–6 · Secondary: Years 7–9

Mission PossibleInside an Ocean Conservation Expedition

Students become an ocean expedition crew and take on time-sensitive missions inspired by the challenges conservation teams face at sea. Using navigation tools and real-world information, they assign crew roles, plot expedition routes, respond to wildlife emergencies and adapt evacuation plans to changing conditions, making informed decisions together before time runs out.

Victorian Curriculum connections

Science, Geography, Design and Technologies, Sustainability, Mathematics, English, Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical Capability, Personal and Social Capability

Book Mission Possible →
04

Primary: Years 2–6 · Secondary: Years 7–9

Activist ArtDesign a Marine Conservation Campaign

Discover the power of art, design and media to inspire environmental action. Students explore the vessel’s campaigns and how Paul Watson, Sea Shepherd founder and MV Steve Irwin captain, used imagery, storytelling, film and media to raise awareness. They then become campaign designers, creating a visual identity, logo, flag, poster and media strategy for their own conservation campaign.

Victorian Curriculum connections

Visual Arts, Media Arts, English, Sustainability, History, Civics and Citizenship, Geography, Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical Capability, Personal and Social Capability

Book Activist Art →

Coming soon

A growing education program

Teacher-led and self-guided visits

Teacher and student resources and themed visit guides for independent visits.

Digital resources

Curriculum-linked worksheets, lesson plans and inquiry activities, plus an online S4G Eco-Club.

Themed vessel tours

Docent-led tours through the ship’s spaces, campaigns and the wildlife connected to its work.

Young Ocean & Heritage Leaders

A Kids Committee giving young people a real role in shaping our education and events.

Creative Conservation Challenges

Annual challenges, like making short documentaries about local environmental issues.

Public programs

Family workshops, school-holiday activities, talks and exhibitions.

"Our objective is not simply to teach young people about the ocean. It is to inspire them to believe they can make a difference."

Book a school visit.

Tell us about your students and we'll come back within [two] business days.