Education

An important part of the work of Lizard Island Research Station is to facilitate education about coral reefs. Student groups from Australian and international schools and universities use the station as a base for educational visits. All of these groups benefit from the research facilities that are provided by our Foundation.

Coral Reef Study Tours

In 2019 a new initiative for the Foundation was undertaken to provide opportunities for future researchers and their mentors in which highly-achieving high school science students and inspirational teachers are immersed in coral reef science at LIRS. The first such trip was scheduled for April 2020 but COVID-19 forced its postponement.  The inaugural trip finally took place in Easter 2022 and of the original 18 selected to take part, 13 students and two teachers were able to make the trip.

The second Coral Reef Study Tour took place in October 2023, with 16 NSW students and 2 teachers immersing themselves in coral reef ecology and marine biology over 7 days.

In 2024 the first teachers trip took place, supported by 19 NSW teachers. In 2025 two study tours were run, one for teachers and a separate tour for students.

As long as funding remains available, our aim is to support two Study Tours a year – one for teachers and another for students.

Students and teachers are selected through a competitive process and if you’d like further information, please contact us.

The aim of which is to inspire and educate our next generation of marine scientists so that Australia’s leadership in coral reef research continues into the future.  Funding has been provided by three generous donors:

• The Corella Fund
• James N. Kirby Foundation, and
• Ken Coles AM and Rowena Danziger AM
• Big Blue Ocean Foundation