Home - Classroom on the Reef - James Cook University

Orpheus Island, our Classroom on the Reef

Making secondary school science curriculum meaningful, relevant and inspirational

Classroom on the Reef is a collaboration between James Cook University and the Queensland Department of Education and is situated at the Orpheus Island Research Station. Facilitated by a combination of outstanding science teachers, real-time science experiences and passionate professionals in the field, a visit to our Classroom will change the way you look at science.

Embedded content

What is Classroom on the Reef?

Classroom on the Reef provides what you need for engaging and inspiring learning so you can pick and choose elements that suit you. Here's what's on offer:

Experience a world class research facility in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area,
Curriculum content designed for secondary school students, and
Live streaming underwater cameras, sensor data feeds and videos of the underwater environment.

Classroom on the Reef is made possible by the Queensland Department of Education Collaboration and Innovation Fund.

Experience life on a research station

Visiting students and teachers will love it here

Wake up to birdsong, have breakfast on the veranda overlooking the bay, watch whales spout on the horizon and spend the day investigating local reefs and working in the labs or lecture room. At the end of the day, enjoy a BBQ and watch the sun go down over the ocean while discussing your experiences. Our friendly staff may even drop by for a chat. As night falls, you might try some spotlighting of the local wildlife.

Experience:

A beautiful tropical island environment
Undertaking real research activities
Visiting the giant clam garden
Snorkelling and walking trips

What's going on under the water on Orpheus Island?

Rockcod, coral trout, blacktip reef sharks, turtles, yellowtail fusiliers, hard coral, soft coral…what will you see today?

This camera is located under the water in Pioneer Bay on the western side of the island.

This camera is underwater on the eastern side of Orpheus Island, off Rocky Beach.

Between the hours of 6am - 6pm AEST (what time is it?) we live stream from our underwater cameras. Outside of those hours we make a video available that we recorded one morning highlighting life on the bommie. Alternatively, you can Meet the Residents via other videos. Our cameras are regularly moving so check back to see other angles!

What am I looking at? Meet the residents

Take a tour of Orpheus Island Research Station

situated on beautiful Pioneer Bay

Embedded content

Learn more about Orpheus Island Research Station

Meet a Scientist

How do you become a marine scientist? What do they do in their day-to-day work?

Location & Contact

Plan a Trip

Call us on 07 4781 3480 If calling internationally, dial +61747813480
orpheus@jcu.edu.au
Facebook link find us on Facebook

Professor Sean Connolly

Dr Alana Grech

Dr Aurelie Moya

Brought to you by a group of dedicated educational institutions

Brought to you by
a group of dedicated educational institutions