get smart at our fun parks

Every year, over 60,000 students swap pens and school books for thrill rides and wild encounters as part of Dreamworld’s innovative and hands-on Education Program.

Dreamworld has been delivering cutting edge and curriculum based courses for over 10 years staying true to Dreamworld’s charter of ‘conservation through education.’

Primary, secondary and tertiary students apply the principles of maths, physics, geometry, biology and tourism as they explore the rides and attractions in-park.

With a huge range of education programs with tailored options to suit the individual needs of each class, Dreamworld is now Australia’s largest interactive class room and the only place where the physics is fast, the biology breathes and the maths adds up to the time of your life.

Leading the education arm, Dreamworld’s Education Manager Hilary Cozier said lessons at Dreamworld enabled children to ‘break free’ from the ‘blackboard boredom’ and apply lessons to real life experiences.

“Our lessons are very hands-on using simple experiments to demonstrate real life situations, for example students in our primary science class make electro-magnets to help them understand the braking system on the Giant Drop.”

From maths to media studies and tourism to tigers, Dreamworld has a history of providing innovative education programs packed with practical punch.

Primary Programs at Dreamworld

Dreamwild Safari Program:
This brand new program takes Prep to Year 3 students for a walk on the wild side with up close and personal encounters with Dreamworld's wonderful wildlife.
The program provides an educational and motivational experience to encourage an early appreciation of the needs and unique adaptions of living things. 
Students can visit Tiger Island or The Australian Wildlife Experience, or opt for a program that incorporates both with a curriculum-linked workbook containing pre and post visit activities.

Connecting With Tigers:
Aimed at students from Year 4 to Year 7, Dreamworld joins teachers and students on a conservation partnership to help save tigers in the wild.  The 30 minute, exclusive talk introduces students to a real life tiger handler at Tiger Island, home to seven rare, white and gold Bengal tigers, six Sumatran tigers and two cougars and includes tiger diet, behaviours, adaptations and conservation issues.  An optional post-visit project encourages students to become actively involved in fundraising activities and to build awareness for our magnificent and extremely endangered tigers.

Ride Science:
This program is packed with practical punch and examines the science behind some of the tallest and fastest thrill rides in the world.  Catering to students from Year 4 to Year 7, the 45 minute program encourages students to explore the basic physics behind Dreamworld’s Big 6 Thrill Rides including the Giant Drop and the Tower of Terror and gives a whole new meaning to ‘science in motion!’

Wildlife 4 Kids - Dreamworld’s Mobile Education Unit:
Dreamworld’s Wildlife 4 Kids takes a host of native Australian animals on the road to visit schools and kindergartens throughout South East Queensland, from turtles to tree frogs, and crocodiles to cockatoos.  Wildlife 4 Kids brings excitement, adventure and hands-on experiences offering unique animal encounters on Dreamworld’s crusade for conservation.  This is the very first Endangered Species school program where students get the chance to come face to face with bilbies, one of the most threatened mammal species giving young children the opportunity to understand wildlife beyond their backyard.

Secondary Programs at Dreamworld

Theme Park Physics:
Dreamworld offers year 11 and 12 students some of the most thrilling examples of physics in action!  Centripetal forces fling students high into the sky, gravity pulls them into free-fall trajectories and the wonders of electricity and magnetism power the whole process.  Students can use either accelerometers made at school or commercially available data loggers housed in a safety vest to investigate the many examples of physics in action with comprehensive student and teacher handbooks provided.

Tourism/Business Studies:
What better way to study tourism and business then by experiencing it first hand. Learn the ropes with the best in a 45-50 minute education presentation on a topic of your choice including:

• Marketing
• Business Organisation
• Economics
• Workplace Health and Safety
• Hospitality Practices
• Human Resources
• Customer Service
• Communication

Tiger Talk:
With a Tiger Biology option for Year 11 and 12 and Multi-Strand Science program for Years 8 to 10, this revolutionary program is individually tailored to suit the needs of each group.  Students participate in an exclusive 30 minute session with a real life tiger handler at Tiger Island and offers seniors the chance to come face to face with one of the most feared creatures on earth.  Topics include genetics, reproduction, behaviour and ecosystems with classes encouraged to attend one of the Tiger Island presentations throughout the day.  Designed to address the Queensland Junior Science and Senior Biology syllabuses, Dreamworld’s Tiger Island education program is fully accredited and guaranteed to get their attention.

Tertiary Studies at Dreamworld

There are a multitude of real life applications for tertiary studies at Dreamworld including event management, engineering, tourism and wildlife studies. For a specifically designed program, contact us at education@dreamworld.com.au.

International Student Program

Now, the largest interactive classroom in Australia is opening its doors to all ages and nationalities with an international program where learning English is made easy.  Dreamworld’s international education program takes students on an authentic journey of discovery at the Australian Wildlife Experience - home to more than 800 native animals.  The program aims to promote and encourage ESL through educational activities educating students in the management and conservation of the Australian environment.  Programs incorporate science, art, geography, history and biology and are designed so students can broaden their knowledge and apply their new skills to their homeland.  Each program promotes the plight of Australia’s endangered animals and encourages students to sink their claws into classification, explore ecology and follow the food chain with innovative and interactive lessons that make the facts fun.
The programs have been divided into 3 levels that are tailored to individual English abilities. These programs have been specifically written for students where English is a second language (ESL / TESOL).

• Red Program - caters for students with a basic understanding of English. The skills of labelling, identifying, sorting and classifying animals are utilised.
• Blue Program - targets those students with an intermediate understanding of English. The skills of contrasting, comparing, labelling and analysing are the focus in this program. This program also introduces endangered animals such as the bilby, quoll and cassowary.
• Yellow Program - is designed for students with a higher level of English comprehension. Skills of contrasting, comparing, subjective thinking and analysing are used. Students are also put into a leadership situation where planning and problem solving are required.

SkyPoint Student Program

Launch student 235 metres above sea level into an interactive learning playground with 360 degrees of stunning Gold Coast views.  This self-directed program allows students to develop a greater appreciation of the Gold Coast’s historic and geographical environment and its place within South East Queensland’s landscape. Students embark on an exciting exploration of fact finding fun – learning about the construction of the Q1 building and its importance as an identifiable landmark within the Gold Coast area. Activity booklets available for Prep – Year five students.

Schools can choose to combine programs with a World Pass and QDeck ticket that allows students to experience a variety of learning environments including Dreamworld, WhiteWater World and SkyPoint. Appealing to schools travelling and staying overnight on the Gold Coast, the SkyPoint student program is one of only a small number of evening excursions options. Students can ascend to the buildings top floor and admire the glowing lights of the Gold Coast while learning about the iconic structure and its surroundings.

Dreamworld’s Education Program runs year round. Bookings are essential and can be made by phoning 07 5588 1184 or check out our website on www.dreamworld.com.au.