What is Classroom on the Reef?

Classroom on the Reef (COTR) is a JCU designed and led marine science educational program intended for senior school students studying marine science or STEM subjects. Facilitated at JCU’s Orpheus Island Research Station in Tropical North Queensland.

The program complements the marine science syllabus, and supports topics students are coving in school, while providing the unique opportunity for hands on learning at an active research station on the Great Barrier Reef.

How does Classroom on the Reef align with the Queensland Marine Science Syllabus (2025)?

Classroom on the Reef (COTR) aligns with topics covered in the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) Marine Science 2025 v1.3 (implemented January 2026) General Senior Syllabus curriculum.

COTR unpacks Unit 3:Topic 1: The reef and beyond (27 hours) – page 28 of the syllabus.

Taking the 3 core subheadings of topic 1:

  1. Coral reef development
  2. Coral reef distribution
  3. Reef, habitats and connectivity

The content is organised into flexible, standalone modules that can be tailored to suit different levels of prior understanding, making it suitable for students with varying backgrounds in marine science studies. The program begins with core topics including coral biology and anatomy, then extends to broader themes including reef formation, habitat diversity, and ecosystem connectivity. Each module includes presentation slides, classroom activities, and hands-on fieldwork, allowing students to engage meaningfully with topics that align with their interests and curriculum requirements.

Indication of Qld Syllabus content covered by Classroom on the Reef image

The Classroom on the Reef program content

Below is a subsample of what COTR lectures look like. For more information, or a further look into the modules, content or activities, please head to the contact page.

We welcome all questions and look forward to hearing from you.

Module 1: Coral reef development

Part 1: What is a coral?

Image of the 1st slide from the What is a coral section of the curriculum What is a coral - Slide 1 image
Image of the 2nd slide from the What is a coral section of the curriculum What is a coral - Slide 2 image
Image of the 3rd slide from the What is a coral section of the curriculum What is a coral - Slide 3 image
Image of slide 4 from the What is a coral section of the syllabus What is a coral - Slide 4 image
Image of slide 5 from the What is a coral part of the syllabus What is a coral - Slide 5 image
Image of slide 6 from the What is a coral part of the syllabus What is a coral - Slide 6 image
Image of slide 7 from the What is a coral part of the syllabus What is a coral - Slide 7 image
Image of slide 8 from the What is a coral part of the syllabus What is a coral - Slide 8 image
Image of slide 9 from the What is a coral part of the syllabus What is a coral - Slide 9 image
Image of slide 10 from the What is a coral part of the syllabus What is a coral - Slide 10 image
Contact us for more information

M1-Part 2: Hard corals vs Soft corals

Image of slide 1 in the Hard vs Soft Corals sections of the curriculum Hard vs Soft Corals - Slide 1 image
Image of slide 2 of the Hard vs Soft Corals section of the curriculum Hard vs soft corals - Slide 2 image
Image of slide 3 from the Hard vs Soft Corals section of the curriculum Hard vs soft corals - Slide 3 image
Image of slide 4 from the Hard vs Soft Corals section of the curriculum Hard vs soft corals - Slide 4 image
Image of slide 5 from the Hard vs Soft Corals section of the curriculum. Hard vs soft corals - Slide 5 image
Image of slide 6 from the Hard vs soft corals section of the curriculum Hard vs soft corals - Slide 6 image
Image of slide 7 from the Hard vs soft corals section of the curriculum Hard vs soft corals - Slide 7 image
Image of slide 8 from the Hard vs soft corals section of the curriculum Hard vs soft corals - Slide 8 image
Image of slide 9 from the Hard vs soft corals section of the curriculum Hard vs soft corals - Slide 9 image
Image of slide 10 from the Hard vs soft corals section of the curriculum Hard vs soft corals - Slide 10 image
Contact us for further information

M1-Part 3: The coral lifecycle

Image of slide 1 from the Coral Lifecycle section of the curriculum Coral Lifecycle - Slide 1 image
Image of slide 2 from the Coral Lifecycle section of the curriculum Coral Lifecycle - Slide 2 image
Image of slide 3 from the Coral Lifecycle from the curriculum Coral Lifecycle - Slide 3 image
Image of slide 4 from the Coral Lifecycle section of the curriculum Coral Lifecycle - Slide 4 image
Image of slide 5 from the Coral Lifecycle section of the curriculum Coral Lifecycle - Slide 5 image
Image of slide 6 from the Coral Lifecycle section of the curriculum Coral Lifecycle - Slide 6 image
Image of slide 7 from the Coral Lifecycle section of the curriculum Coral Lifecycle - Slide 7 image
Image of slide 8 from the Coral Lifecycle of the curriculum Coral Lifecycle - Slide 8 image
Image of slide 9 from the Coral Lifecycle section of the curriculum Coral Lifecycle - Slide 9 image
Image of slide 10 from the Coral Lifecycle section of the curriculum Coral Lifecycle - Slide 10 image
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M1-Part 4: Coral Reef Growth

Image of slide 1 from the Coral Reef Growth section of the curriculum Coral Reef Growth - Slide 1 image
Image of slide 2 from the Coral Reef Growth section of the curriculum Coral Reef Growth - Slide 2 image
Image of slide 3 from the Coral Reef Growth section of the curriculum Coral Reef Growth - Slide 3 image
Image of slide 4 from the Coral Reef Growth section of the curriculum Coral Reef Growth - Slide 4 image
Image of slide 5 from the Coral Reef Growth section of the curriculum Coral Reef Growth - Slide 5 image
Image of slide 6 from the Coral Reef Growth section of the curriculum Coral Reef Growth - Slide 6 image
Image of slide 7 from the Coral Reef Growth section of the curriculum Coral Reef Growth - Slide 7 image
Image of slide 8 from the Coral Reef Growth section of the curriculum Coral Reef Growth - Slide 8 image
Image of slide 9 from the Coral Reef Growth section of the curriculum Coral Reef Growth - Slide 9 image
Image of slide 10 from the Coral Reef Growth section of the curriculum Coral Reef Growth - Slide 10 image
Contact us for more information

Module 2: Coral reef distribution

In development

Module 3: Reef, habitats and connectivity

In development

Students who participate in Classroom on the Reef benefit from

  • Highly engaging lectures delivered by research station staff with backgrounds in marine and environmental science
  • Engaging presentation slides featuring visual aids and videos designed to support understanding
  • Interactive classroom activities in a supportive and relaxed environment
  • Field-based experiences, including shoreline and in-water marine surveys, along with hands-on data collection
  • Contributing real data to active and impactful citizen science projects
  • Opportunities to meet and talk with professional marine scientists who may be on station conducting research
  • Plenty of chances to snorkel, hike, and observe the island’s incredible wildlife by boat, kayak or paddleboard!