Seaweek is a national public awareness campaign that was founded by the Marine Education Society of Australasia (MESA). The aim of Seaweek is to focus community awareness, provide information and encourage an appreciation of the sea and its living organisms.

As part of Seaweek the Rottnest Island Authority organises and hosts the Seaweek Teachers Expo with the inaugural event held in March 2001. It is the State's premier event to acknowledge Seaweek and this year is proudly sponsored by Capricorn Kayak Tours and Rottnest Island Underwater Explorer II .

Teachers have a choice of exciting workshops, which in previous years have included activities such as snorkelling a wreck site, a live marine animal touch pool, a mock lifesaving rescue, an intertidal zones adventure, and sea kayaking.

The Rottnest Island Authority will be joined by the following participating organisations: · Department of Fisheries · Western Australian Museum · The Aquarium of Western Australia · The Department for Planning and Infrastructure · High Tide Marine Education · Surf Life Saving Western Australia · Capricorn Kayak Tours · Rottnest Island Underwater Explorer II The expo aims to give teachers and community members skills, knowledge and values to teach marine education. It is also a time to meet like-minded educators and discover the array of programs and providers of marine education.

The desired outcomes of the Seaweek Teachers Expo are:
· To promote teacher involvement in Seaweek in an effort to conserve and protect the marine environment through educational programs and activities.
· To further develop the links between marine-coastal educators, and organisations within Western Australia.
· To raise awareness and increase understanding of the different marine-coastal educators and organisations involved in the Expo, including the types of educational facilities, programs and resources that they can provide for teachers involved in marine education.

The Seaweek Teachers Expo is an annual event and will be held again on Friday 12th March 2004. Interested people can contact the Senior Education Officer/MESA State Delegate, Melinda Wild, for further information on 9372 9762 or visit the website (www.rottnest.wa.gov.au).

Expo Program