Art v Science: Secrets of the Sea

Ink and ocean: A creative dive into marine biology 

Plunge into the mysterious beauty of the deep sea in this immersive school holiday workshop, where science meets art in unexpected and inspiring ways.

Begin with a respectful, hands-on exploration of the squid - an extraordinary creature of the ocean. Guided by curiosity and care, you’ll uncover its unique anatomy through dissection, learning how its body tells the story of life beneath the waves.

Then, shift from science to creativity as you use real squid ink to craft a one-of-a-kind artwork - an expressive piece that connects you to the ocean’s rhythms and textures.

The journey continues with marine investigations and a robotics challenge, where you’ll explore the wonders of underwater ecosystems and the technologies helping us understand them.

What to expect

• Carefully dissect a squid to learn about its biology and adaptations
• Create a unique artwork to take home using squid ink
• Explore the role of science and art in recording the natural world
• Investigate marine environments through hands-on experiments
• Take on a robotics challenge using Ozobots to simulate ocean exploration

Your scientific toolkit

We use only high-quality specimens from ethical suppliers. All tools and materials are used under expert guidance and include:

• Ethically sourced squid (thawed for use)
• Dissecting trays, tweezers, wooden sticks and scissors
• Safety glasses, latex-free gloves and surgical masks
• Small glass jars, digital microscopes and petri dishes

Drop and Leave Holiday Programs

Drop and leave programs enable children and young people to experience the Museum independently, discover and learn something new in an area of interest and access materials and resources that would not normally be available at home. All programs are managed and monitored by our experienced Learning and Engagement staff.

Don't take our word for it. Here's what some of our past participants had to say:

“I liked learning how to dissect squid and I really liked painting with squid ink.  It was really fun.”   Erin 11 years

“I learned new things.  Go science!”  Rayne 8 years  

“II liked how the atmosphere was welcoming.”   Arthur 11 years

“It was in[k]redible.”   Heidi 9 years 

"This was the best because we learnt new things."  Lily 8 years

Parent Feedback

What parents are hearing from their kids about our programs:

• They had fun and felt supported
• They learned something new and made friends
• They can’t wait to come back!

What parents love about our programs:

• Diverse and engaging activities
• Educational, safe environment
• Friendly, qualified staff
• Convenient and affordable

Companion Cards are accepted at the WA Museum Boola Bardip. Due to the nature of this workshop, companion card bookings should be made by contacting reception@museum.wa.gov.au.