Youth Ambassador Program
Join the Spot a Shark Squad!
Are you aged 12-17 years old and want to work alongside actual marine scientists, to help protect a shark? Do you want to learn more about sharks and learn how to communicate? That's exactly what the Spot a Shark Youth Ambassador Program is.
Over four months, you'll go from "I think sharks are cool" to being a genuine voice for shark conservation — backed by real science, real data, and a real place in the Spot a Shark community.
You’ll get hands-on experience working alongside marine scientists, learning all about grey nurse sharks, busting common shark myths, and getting back-stage training to understand how we track individual sharks by their spot patterns. With assignments along the way to embed your knowledge, by the end of the course you will present to a live audience with the chance to step onto the stage and present live at the Ocean Lovers Festival 2027.
Grey nurse sharks need passionate young advocates to help in our campaigns. During this program, you will:
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Get direct mentorship from marine scientists
- Learn about sharks evolved and what makes grey nurse sharks so special (and so misunderstood)
- Get a behind-the-scenes look at the real software Spot a Shark uses to identify individual sharks by their unique spot patterns
- Practice real photo-ID and injury analysis — the same skills our researchers use
- Learn the truth about shark risk, safety technology, and the myths the media loves to repeat
- Understand the threats sharks face, and the solutions that are actually working
- Perform a series of activities to cement your knowledge
- Earn an official certificate of completion
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Stay connected as a volunteer, mentor, or contributor after the program ends
Spots are limited. To apply you must...
- Commit to an online (on Zoom) meeting at 6 pm - 7 pm on Wednesday Sept 9, Wednesday Sept 16, Wednesday Oct 7, Wednesday Oct 21, Wednesday Nov 11 and Wednesday Dec 9
- Have access to laptop/computer.
- Have access to stable wifi.
- Be willing to deliver a public talk about sharks at your school at the end of the 4 month period.
- Be willing to complete "mini-projects" in between meetings
- You must be based in NSW and be aged between 12-17 to apply
- YOU MUST APPLY BEFORE SUNDAY 30-AUG 2026!!!
