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Stories from the Reef Theatre making and STEAM workshop

Term 2 & 4

Primary School: Early Stage 1 – 1, Years K – 2
Learning areas: Creative Arts, Science, Geography

A theatre making and STEAM workshop inspired by the Sydney Opera House Artificial Reef Project, students learn about sustainability and marine habitats. Learning through theatre play and combining drama, storytelling and movement the workshop teaches students about the science and marine life of the Harbour.

Where does the ink go when the octopus puts it in the ocean?

Student in Kindergarten

Useful information:

Inspiring sustainability through creativity

In this fun and engaging workshop exploring Sydney Opera House’s Artificial Reef Project and the habitat it provides for the marine life of Sydney Harbour, students learn through a series of creative activities while engaging in imaginative theatre play. 

In collaboration students create their own underwater world using recycled materials in new and unusual ways. Using drama, storytelling and movement they discover characters one might encounter in the Artificial Reef, performing imagined narratives and stories together, culminating in a short performance.

The foundation of the workshop explores underwater ecosystems, sustainability, and plastic waste. It increases students' sensitivity and understanding about healthy harbours, and our relationship to caring and protecting our natural environments.

In this workshop, students:

  • Learn about the ecosystems of Sydney Harbour surrounding the Sydney Opera House and how artificial reefs are made and work to support new aquatic growth.
  • Collaborate with peers to create characters, small artworks and storylines that culminate in a short play or presentation.
  • Develop their ability to express themselves and communicate thoughts about their relationship to the natural world, including describing observable features of living things and their environments.
  • Learn about the ways the Sydney Opera House, and other organisations, can contribute to positively impacting the environment and community through sustainability projects.

Stories from the Reef is a Creative Learning Workshop developed by Sarah-Vyne Vassallo with the Creative Learning Team at the Sydney Opera House

Thank you to The Greatorex Fund for enabling the development of STEAM creative learning programs in the Centre for Creativity

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Plan your visit

Excursions at the Opera House

A Day Out at the House

Offer your students to an unforgettable day out at the Sydney Opera House with our new curated program. Students can attend a Creative Learning Performance or Workshop onsite accompanied by a Walking Tour of our internationally renowned performing arts centre, all in time to back by the final school bell.

A group of girls wave at the camera in school uniform. The Sydney Opera House sails are seen blurry in the background.

Arts Assist

Does your School need financial assistance to attend a Sydney Opera House excursion?

Schools Tour

Filled with stories that demonstrate the power of creativity, students join a guided tour to learn how architect Jørn Utzon created a sculpture on Sydney Harbour that changed the course of 20th century architecture.

A young girl wearing a school uniform stares out a window in a Sydney Opera House foyer. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is seen in the background.

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