Science-Based Education and Outreach
Welcome to the Harry Butler Education Hub, a central repository for HBI's environmental education programs and resources. Our programs combine decades of environmental knowledge with opportunities for hands-on learning and engagement in real-world environmental issues.
With themes spanning the Institute's four research centres, our education programs have been built utilising the latest research to engage and shape the next generation of environmental problem solvers, like our namesake Dr Harry Butler.
Our programs have been developed by HBI Education Lead Pauline Charman, who brings a strong history in high school science education and biotechonology education. Pauline believes every student has the potential to become a scientist, so she strives to make our programs accessible to all learners, whether in schools, homeschool environments, or remote locations.
Within the Harry Butler Education Hub, you will find information about our current programs across wetland science, taxonomy and biotechnology, and ecological restoration. You will also find a range of user-friendly printable and digital teaching resources for years 7-12, addressing themes across our four research centres. Each resource has been mapped to the WA curriculum, particularly science, and includes worksheets with marking keys.
School Programs
Resources for teachers
In addition to our core programs, the Harry Butler Institute has developed a range of supplementary teaching resources based on leading environmental research projects. These resources, including fact sheets, case studies, videos, and worksheets (with marking keys) have been created to address key environmental science themes within the Australian curriculum.
The summary document lists each of the available resources, provides a content summary, and lists relevant curriculum links. The resource also provides a snapshot of the HBI video resources available on our YouTube playlist.
Core themes
Our Teacher Resources offer examples from current research programs conducted at the Harry Butler Institute. They address the following themes:
- Ecological disturbance
- Ecology
- Marine science
- Waste minimisation
- Sustainability
- Environmental innovation
- Renewable energy
- Geospatial imagery and mapping
- Circular economy
- Invasive species
- Climate change solutions
- Biodiversity loss
- Threats to natural ecosystems
- Biosecurity
- Rural and urban Australian environments
Video worksheet and marking key
Western Australian Waters and Microplastics
This resource is an excellent way to engage students with the challenges facing Western Australian waters and the global issue of microplastic pollution. The video explores the environmental and health impacts of microplastics, covering their origins, breakdown processes, effects on marine life and human health, and strategies for reducing pollution.
Aligned with the Year 7–10 WA science curriculum, it features inquiry-based questions (with a marking key) to encourage critical thinking about real-world environmental challenges. Students are introduced to actionable solutions, including ocean cleanup initiatives, biodegradable materials, and personal lifestyle changes to reduce plastic use.
To access our full teacher resource library, please register using the link below. Once registered, you will be sent a link providing access to HBI's teacher resources.
Let's work together
With so many enthusiastic scientists in the team, we're constantly working on ways to update and expand our education programs and resources in alignment with the curriculum framework. We're developing new opportunities for excursions and incursions with our scientists. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss current or future opportunities for collaboration.
As we believe science should be accessible to all, we'd also love to hear from regional and remote schools and home-schoolers on how we can make our programs more accessible.
To get in touch, email the HBI Education Lead Pauline Charman at Pauline.Charman@murdoch.edu.au.