Bring the Maritime Museum into the classroom in Term 2 with a host of exciting free virtual excursions
Published
The Australian National Maritime Museum has announced an exciting line up of free virtual excursions for primary school students for Term 2, allowing teachers and students to experience the Museum from the comfort of their classrooms.
With topics covered ranging from plastic pollution to Australian migration, Humpback whales and Indigenous history, there are a wide range of opportunities for students to engage with experts from the Museum and beyond through this series of engaging and interactive learning opportunities.
These virtual excursions are available to primary school students across Australia and provide students the opportunity to unite with students from across the country and learn together.
"Term 2 is full of exciting events and learning opportunities such as Annual Humpback Day, Reconciliation Week, World Ocean Day and NAIDOC Week, and we are thrilled to be offering virtual excursions that tie into so many of these important events."
Alicia De Audney, Digital Education Project Officer
Program
The full program is available below, and can be found on the Museum website
Annual Humpback Day
Meet marine biologist Dr Vanessa Pirotta and learn all about the largest animal in the sea! To celebrate the arrival of whales to Australian waters, this session will dive into the world of magnificent marine mammals. Students will hear about these fascinating marine giants and how Vanessa and other scientists research whales. From whale snot drones to whale poo, this session is whale-y fun!
This session will also include a Q&A section where students will have the opportunity to ask questions about marine animals.
Presented by Dr Vanessa Pirotta, CSIRO and the Australian National Maritime Museum.
Time: Wednesday May 7, 2-3pm AEST
Ages: Years K-6
1770: Cook’s Endeavour
Discover why navigator James Cook and the crew of HMB Endeavour embarked on a momentous voyage around the world and consider the impacts of this voyage on First Nations people.
In this interactive session, students will explore primary sources from the Endeavour’s journey to learn who was onboard, where they stopped and what scientific discoveries they made along the way. By investigating the secret orders for the voyage, they will uncover Britain’s motivations for this journey of exploration.
Students will also discuss the nature of contact between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and others, consider the impact of Endeavour’s voyage on First Nations people and think about how it changed Australian history.
Time: Monday May 12, 2-3pm AEST
Ages: Years 3-4
Reconciliation: 1770 to now
To mark Reconciliation Week, students are invited to explore significant moments of reconciliation in Australia's history and connect examples of reconciliation in the past with the present and future.
During this session students will
- Learn the story of reconciliation between Guugu Yimithirr people and James Cook's Endeavour voyagers at Reconciliation Rocks in 1770;
- Explore the conflict between the Wik people and Dutch crew of the Duyfken in 1606 and discover how reconciliation was practiced 400 years later;
- Discuss what reconciliation looks like today and how we can all work towards reconciliation together.
Time: Monday May 26, 2-3pm AEST
Ages: Years 3-6
Pollution Detectives with Seabin Foundation
To celebrate World Ocean Day and World Environment Day students can discover how Seabin Foundation remove plastic pollution from our waterways and explore some of the surprising rubbish they have found. Students can work together to trace the mysterious plastic pollution back to its source and brainstorm ways that we can help to combat the plastic pollution problem.
Presented by the Australian National Maritime Museum and the Seabin Foundation.
Time: Thursday June 5, 2-3pm AEST
Ages: Years 1-6
Deep Sea Habitats and Adaptations
To mark World Ocean Day and World Environment Day, explore the extreme environments of the deep sea and meet the incredible creatures who live there.
Students will dive in and explore each of the five ocean zones and discover what makes them a unique habitat. They will investigate each layer of the ocean and discuss its environmental conditions, the species that have adapted to survive there and the technologies used to explore it.
Time: Friday June 6, 2-3pm AEST
Ages: Years 5-6
Australia as a Nation: Waves of Migration
Join the Museum team this Refugee Week to unpack some diverse experiences of migration and uncover people’s varied reasons for migrating.
This workshop examines Australia’s migration from Federation until today, sharing personal stories and treasured artefacts of migrants from post-war Europe, ten-pound Poms, Vietnamese refugees, and more.
Using primary and secondary sources from the museum’s collections, students will discover how migration patterns have been impacted by push and pull factors such as government policies, world events and changing social attitudes.
Students will develop their skills in historical empathy and consider the invaluable contributions of migrants to the development of modern Australia’s national identity.
Time: Tuesday June 17, 2-3pm AEST
Ages: Years 5-6
Caring for Sea Country
Learn about Aboriginal scientists, artists and communities who use cultural knowledge to manage Sea Country and improve ocean environments across Australia.
Celebrate this year’s NAIDOC Week theme, "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy" as we explore examples of First Nations people leading responsible coastal management. From the Indigenous Ranger Program to restoration of oyster reefs, these stories will leave you inspired to help care for Sea Country too!
Time: Monday June 23, 2-3pm AEST
Ages: Years 1-4
