Ningaloo: Australia's Other Great Reef (ATOM Study Guide)

Young marine scientist Anna Cresswell, aboard mini-submersible Odyssea, embarks on a remarkable voyage into the labyrinth of Western Australia's iconic Ningaloo Reef, in search of its key to life. Framing Australia's remote Cape Range Peninsula and growing close along its shoreline, Ningaloo Reef is one of the longest fringing reefs on the planet. It is also listed as a World Heritage Site for its beauty and environmental significance; therefore its conservation is paramount.

Travelling with Anna and Odyssea deep into this underwater wonderland is like floating through an exquisite dream – one filled with unearthly coral formations and exotic marine life. Ningaloo has one of the most diverse and complex ecosystems ever discovered – every species has a place in the food chain and a role to play in maintaining the balance of life on the reef. Anna's mission is to witness the annual, synchronised, mass coral spawning. Governed by the lunar cycle, this is one of the natural world's most mysterious and spectacular reproductive events.

For Anna, studying this phenomenon may provide answers to the threat of climate change faced by coral reefs around the world. The annual mass coral spawning heralds the arrival of one of the largest aggregations of the world's biggest fish. Whale sharks, the 'gentle giants of the sea', come to feed on krill. The krill, tiny shrimp-like crustaceans, swarm to feast on blooming microscopic plant life, fertilised by the large amounts of organic matter left in the water after the spawning. On Ningaloo everything is interconnected in a web of life woven through the reef. The annual mass coral spawning Anna has come to witness, is the foundation of this world and the place where life on the reef begins.

Curriculum Links:

• Ningaloo: Australia's Other Great Reef is suitable for students undertaking
• Science (Years 6–10, with applications in Senior Science courses);
• Geography (Years 7–10);
• Design and Technologies (Years 7–10);
• Media Arts (Years 7–10);
• with further links to Mathematics (Year 10) and the cross-curricular priority of Sustainability.

The sub-activities found under the 'Coral Reefs' heading centre largely on Science and Geography curriculum links, though elements of these curricula can be found in other sub-activities in this study guide.

As a curriculum resource in Science, Ningaloo: Australia's Other Great Reef is primarily relevant to the biological sciences content of Science Understanding, with applications in Earth and space science content. Investigations and observations suggested by the program allow students to develop their Science Inquiry skills, while connections to questions of sustainability and conservation ensures that this resource is also applicable to the Science as a Human Endeavour strand.

As a curriculum resource in Geography, Ningaloo: Australia's Other Great Reef is primarily relevant to the strand of Geographical Knowledge and Understanding, with specific links to unit 'Water in the World' in Year 7 and unit 'Environmental Change and Management' in Year 10. The questions of conservation and human intervention also present students with the opportunity to demonstrate the qualities described in the geographical inquiry and skills descriptor of this subject.

The sub-activities found under the 'Submersibles' and 'Filming Underwater' headings centre largely on Design and Technologies and Media Arts curriculum links, though also incorporate some Science descriptors. As a curriculum resource in Design and Technologies, Ningaloo: Australia's Other Great Reef is relevant to the Knowledge and Understanding strand.

In Media Arts, the program provides the opportunity for students to explore technical and symbolic elements in the context of fulldome documentary. Note that while most sub-activities can be commenced after viewing the film, 'Storyboarding for Fulldome' is best introduced beforehand.

Teachers are advised to consult the Australian Curriculum online and curriculum outlines relevant to their state or territory for further information.