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This thing called Australia

Can you think of an event in our history that has helped shape our nation? What about an event in your lifetime that has changed Australia?

In Making a Nation students investigate the theme of nationhood by handling objects and exploring the Museum's galleries. During the program students use a digital camera to photograph objects that illustrate an aspect of Australia's development as a nation that they view as important. All photographs will be available on our website for follow-up classroom activities.

Program details

Aims

• Give students an opportunity to explore key events and periods that have shaped Australia, through object handling and gallery exploration.
• Help students understand time, continuity and change through the construction and examination of timelines, and gallery exploration.

Structure

1. Introductory activity – students explore objects that relate to key events and ideas in Australia's history, and then construct a timeline to discuss change in Australia.
2. Gallery activity – working in groups, students explore the Museum's galleries and photograph objects that illustrate an aspect of Australia's development as a nation that they view as important.
3. Reflection – students gather to discuss their selected objects and explain why their stories are important to Australian history. They also discuss how the pictures might be used for further research and reflection on Australian history and our national identity back at school.

Exploring the Museum

You may like to allow extra time to visit other exhibitions and to explore other places in the Museum, such as Circa and Kspace. For everything you need to know about visiting, see Plan and book a visit.

Related resources

These activity ideas might be useful in your classroom.

You may also be interested in these teacher resources:

• The 1967 Referendum – a unit of work investigating the significance and impact of the 1967 Referendum
• Life at the Time of Federation – using a time capsule this unit of work explores life in Australia in 1901
• Women and Equality as Citizens – a unit of work investigating the significant moments that contributed to women's equality as citizens in Australia
• What Impacts has Immigration had on Australia? – a unit of work investigating the stories and impact migrants have had on Australian society over time
• Nation: Investigating Images of a Nation – a unit of work exploring the meanings of significant symbols of Australia

or this interactive:

• Citizens' Arch – explore the symbols and designs on the 1901 Citizen's Arch

You can also see the full list of resources related to Australian history.