Introduction
In 1768 Her Majesty's Bark Endeavour's voyage of exploration was commissioned by the Royal Society of London. A group formed to discuss scientific thought and challenge ideas based on faith during the Enlightenment. Their motto is 'Nullius in verba' meaning 'take nobody's word for it' reflecting their determination in seeking knowledge and truth. What did the Royal Society wish to learn from the voyage? What other discoveries did the British hope to make? This module examines the scientific explorations of the voyage, those that were clear and those that were kept secret.
This learning module will:
• provide background information for a school visit to HMB Endeavour
• support teachers in developing lesson sequences about the accomplishments of the first voyage of the HMB Endeavour in exploration and science
• provide opportunities for students to engage with images of primary sources for developing questions for inquiry
• examine 18th-century European scientific inquiry, methodology and the discoveries made during the voyage
• develop knowledge and offer experiences of the scientific equipment used onboard the ship for meaningful engagement in the HMB Endeavour site visit
• build awareness and appreciation of, and respect for, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures
Main image: A New Chart of New Holland on which are delineated New South Wales and a Plan of Botany Bay, drawn and engraved by Jno. Andrews. 1787. ANMM Collection 00000368.
