The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park has been awarded a Pinnacle Award from the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration in the United States.

 

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville was recognized as an outstanding education centre by a panel of teachers from across the USA.

 

Minster for Environment and Sustainability Tony Burke congratulated Reef HQ Aquarium on receiving the award for the third consecutive year.

 

"It's a great honour for the Reef HQ Aquarium, the world's largest living coral reef aquarium," Mr Burke said.

 

"Reef HQ Aquarium was the only content provider outside of the United States and Canada to receive this prestigious award, based on evaluations from teachers."

 

The park competed against a high calibre of participants including NASA's Digital Learning Network at the Kennedy Space Center, which received an honourable mention.

 

The park's living exhibits and Videoconferencing Program were cited as particularly excellent. During 2010-11, Reef HQ Aquarium facilitated 162 Reef Videoconferences reaching 5855 students across Australia and the world.