For students at Kingscliff High School, a globally significant marine conservation area is just a short walk from the classroom.

Thirty-five students from Kingscliff High School and five partner primary schools have been working on a unique citizen science initiative on the Tweed Coast with Dolphin Research Australia at Cudgen Creek, collecting scientific data to help monitor the health of their local waterways.

The students are contributing to the internationally recognised Mission Blue Hope Spots conservation initiative, which identifies marine areas considered critical to the health of the world’s oceans.

The Tweed Byron Hope Spot is one of only 165 designated sites worldwide, with Kingscliff High’s Year 7 students among the first citizen scientists to contribute data from the newly extended area alongside Year 6 students from Bogangar Public, Cudgen Public, Fingal Head Public, Kingscliff Public and Pottsville Beach Public School.  

The high school students conducted water quality testing and assessed seagrass ecosystems, which provide essential habitat for local dolphin populations, while the primary students focused on sampling and analysing microplastic pollution along the creek.  

All data collected will contribute to ongoing scientific research, with students returning periodically to build a long-term dataset tracking environmental change. 

This hands-on initiative is part of the school’s Coastal Academy of STEM Excellence (CASE), a specialised program supporting high potential and gifted (HPGE) students in science and engineering through real-world, industry-connected learning.

The initiative also strengthens collaboration across the Tweed learning community, bringing together Year 6 and Year 7 students, many of whom attended the same primary schools just one year earlier, helping to build strong Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) pathways from primary education through to university.

Kingscliff High School Deputy Principal, Damien Borg, joined students in the field, collecting water samples and testing pH levels alongside them and said the program highlighted the power of authentic learning experiences.

“Our students love being part of the Coastal Academy of STEM Excellence program which is all about inspiring passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, while also connecting them to authentic learning with real-world applications,” Mr Borg said.

“Seeing the students excel and challenge themselves beyond the classroom is truly rewarding and it’s exciting to witness how this program empowers our students to become confident problem-solvers and future leaders.

“Cudgen Creek is literally on the school's back doorstep, a short walk-through native forest to a perfect location for marine science and no other school in the local area has a living globally significant marine conservation zone like this one this close to their school.”

Following fieldwork at the creek, students collaborated on developing a community education showcase.

Year 7 Kingscliff High Student, Xander Roberts, enjoyed the day and thought it was “so cool” working with real marine scientists at Cudgen Creek.

“We got to collect data that could actually help save the creek and the local dolphins which is awesome because I fish and swim here all the time,” said Xander.

“It feels good to know I’m helping protect a place that’s so important to me and my friends and learning about science like this is way better than being inside a classroom.”

Students will return at the end of Term 4 to see the changes that have occurred over time.  

The Coastal Guardians Citizen Science Day exemplifies the NSW Department of Education’s commitment to extending learning beyond the classroom and supporting high potential students through the Inspire High Potential and Gifted Education policy. 

The program is supported through partnerships with Southern Cross University, Griffith University and TAFE NSW, further strengthening opportunities for students to pursue future careers in science and environmental management.