Year 12 Biology Students Dive Deep into Learning at the Marine Studies Centre

By Kent Twaites | Posted: Thursday March 19, 2026

This week, our Year 12 Biology students embarked on an educational journey to the Portobello Marine Centre, diving into the mysterious and fascinating world of marine life.

The aim was twofold: to enrich their understanding of marine biodiversity and to conduct hands-on investigations that align with their curriculum standards on Diversity in Form and Function and Intertidal Investigation.

The adventure kicked off on Wednesday, with our first group of budding marine biologists eagerly exploring the diverse roles of sea animals in their natural habitats. Through engaging and informative sessions, students discovered the intricacies of filter feeders, scavengers, and predators. They learned about the importance of each species in the marine ecosystem and how these creatures have adapted over time to thrive in their specific zones. A highlight of the day was mastering the technique of conducting a transect—a method used to count species biota and observe the fascinating zonation patterns that contribute to the survival of these marine organisms.

The educational journey continued into Thursday, with better weather allowing our second cohort of students to complete their investigations with great enthusiasm.

Now, as the fieldwork concludes, our students are poised to delve into the analysis phase, where they will process all the invaluable data and observations collected during their visit. This experience at the Portobello Marine Centre has not only provided them with a solid foundation for their upcoming assessments but has also sparked a greater interest in the field of marine biology among our young scholars.

Thank you to Michelle Gilks and Brenna Sinclair for their assistance, as well as to the staff who covered for us so we could attend this pivotal part of the Biology year.

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