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The 1967 Referendum
This unit of work helps students to interrogate the website Collaborating for Indigenous Rights (as well as three other educational resources available from the National Museum) and in doing so to come to a better understanding of this important event. In completing the unit, the students will decide whether the 1967 Referendum was a major turning point in the achievement of Indigenous citizenship rights in Australia, or whether it achieved very little and was more 'show than substance'.
Type: PDF unit of work
Years: 8–12
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A License to Mock: Political Cartoons - Do They Help or Harm Democracy?
In this unit of work students consider the ideas and values embedded in political cartoons and discover how to 'read' these important sources of evidence. Students are also challenged to decide whether political cartoons promote or possibly even undermine Australia's democratic system of government.
Type: PDF unit of work
Years: 8–12
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ABC Van
An interactive tour of the Museum's ABC Van - a veteran of the first ABC-TV broadcast and the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. When the van retired in 1974, it had provided service for the entire period of Australian black and white television and had been involved in 2300 outside telecasts.
Type: Flash interactive
Years: K–6 |
ANZAC Pilgrims
Recent Australian experiences of Gallipoli
Type: Website
Years: 5–12 |
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Audio on demand
An evolving collection of recordings of key past and current lectures, forums and symposiums held at the National Museum of Australia
Type: Audio downloads, Podcasts
Years: 9–12
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Aussie English
Australian English has developed a rich and distinct vocabulary that some would say reflects our dry wit and occasional wisdom. Explore the origins and meanings of our common Australian words and idioms, and test your knowledge of Australian English.
Type: Flash interactive
Years: K–12 |
Australia at Expo 67 Montreal
In 1967 Canada's Montreal welcomed more than 50 million visitors to Expo 67 over a period of six months. Forty years on, explore the world of Australia at Expo 67 Montreal in this online exhibition.
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Australian History Mysteries
Australian History Mysteries is a video/DVD, print and website resource. It provides a number of inquiry-based case studies in twentieth century Australian history. The case studies present evidence from a variety of museums, historical collections and historic sites for students to use to solve the mysteries.
Type: Website includes case studies, Flash interactives, videos; the complete multimedia kit is available for purchase.
Years: 5–12
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Basin Bytes - Echuca
The Echuca Basin Bytes project is the first of a series of community outreach initiatives which the National Museum of Australia is undertaking in collaboration with the Murray-Darling Basin Commission.
Type: Website
Years: All |
Basin Bytes - Goolwa/Toowoomba
Basin Bytes Goolwa/Toowoomba is a community-based project using digital photography and text to encourage members of the community to explore issues that relate to cultural heritage and natural resource management in their location.
Type: Website
Years: All |
Basin Bytes - Wentworth
The Wentworth Basin Bytes is one of a series of community outreach initiatives organised by the National Museum of Australia, and run in partnership with the Murray-Darling Basin Commission, Wentworth Shire Council and the University of Tasmania.
Type: Website
Years: All |
Batmania
A fun way to explore the people and events surrounding the foundation of Melbourne.
Type: Flash interactive
Years: 4–8 |
Behind the Lines 2003: Exploring Political Cartoons
Linked to the National Museum's 2003 political cartooning competition and the exhibition, Behind the Lines, this unit of work asks students to examine and analyse a number of political cartoons by learning how to 'read' cartoons.
Type: PDF unit of work
Years: 5–12 |
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Bells Falls Gorge
Takes visitors on a virtual tour of a controversial Museum display which looks at the nature of the contact between Aboriginal people and those who arrived after 1788 and moved into frontier areas.
Type: Flash interactive
Years: 5–12
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Between the Flags
The year 2007 marked the centenary of surf lifesaving in Australia and was the Year of the Surf Lifesaver. This education package contains teachers' notes, audiovisual resources and activities that can be adapted for students.
Type: PDF education kit
Years: 4–10 |
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Can we 'drought-proof' Australia?
This unit of work explores the causes and effects of drought and whether drought can be managed, and even eliminated.
Type: PDF unit of work
Years: 6–10 |
Captivating & Curious
The Captivating and Curious exhibition marked the Museum's 25th Anniversary and celebrated the Museum's rich and diverse collection.
Type: Website
Years: 7–12 |
Chev truck
Explores the Chev truck from the Museum's collection - a common farm vehicle in Australia during the 1930s and 1940s.
Type: Flash interactive
Years: 4–6 |
Citizen's Arch
The Citizens' Arch series of learning objects explores the Citizens' Arch, which was built in Melbourne in 1901 to celebrate the federation of Australia's six colonies, the opening of Federal Parliament, and a visit from members of the British Royal family.
Type: Flash interactive
Years: 3–6 |
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The Cobb & Co coach
Take a trip back to Bathurst, New South Wales, in 1865 when Cobb & Co coaches were used to transport people and letters around Australia.
Type: Flash interactive
Years: P–2
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Collaborating for Indigenous Rights: the 1967 Referendum
This website tells the story of the 1967 referendum, where the overwhelming majority of Australians voted for changes in the Australian Constitution that the voters believed would give Indigenous Australians a 'fairer go' in their own country.
Type: Website
Years: 8–12
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Cook's Pacific Encounters
Explores the collection of more than 300 Pacific artefacts held by the Georg-August University of Göttingen in Germany. Collected during the three Pacific voyages taken by James Cook between 1768 and 1780, these 200-year-old artefacts provide a rare insight into the Pacific island cultures James Cook encountered.
Type: Website
Years: 8–12
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Crimson Thread of Kinship interactive
A 12-metre-long embroidery representing the unfolding story of Australia. It depicts the changing landscape of the nation, beginning with Aboriginal occupation of the continent and finishing in the southern night sky.
Type: Flash interactive
Years: K–12 |
Crossley car
Explores the Crossley Laundaulette car used in the 1927 Royal Tour.
Type: Flash interactive
Years: K–6 |
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Emergency at Lonely Creek
Take yourself back in time to 1890 when people from all over the world worked in the copper mines of the Queensland outback. Camel, horse and cart and trains were the main forms of transport and long distance communication was by telegram or letter. Produced in conjunction with The Learning Federation.
Type: Flash interactive
Years: 5–6 |
The Enterprise
Explore the Museum's restored paddle steamer Enterprise and find out about how it was built and its purpose. Produced in conjunction with The Learning Federation.
Type: Flash interactive
Years: 2–6 |
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Farmers' Stories
This series of short interviews and images are of real farmers who work for themselves, some of whom may not get an income for a whole year. Their lives are reliant on another force, a natural, seasonal and patterned influence and what these people do on a day-to-day basis.
Type: Website
Years: 5–12 |
The first golden age of cricket
Find out about the history of cricket in Australia by tracking the roots of cricket back to colonisation and how the British Empire influenced where cricket is played. Produced in conjunction with The Learning Federation.
Type: Flash interactive
Years: 5–6 |
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Gold and Civilisation
Two education packs were developed in conjunction with the Museum's first 'blockbuster' exhibition Gold and Civilisation. These provide a comprehensive resource for teachers planning a unit of work on the impact the discovery of gold has had on Australia. The teachers' pack also includes information on current mining methods and the uses of gold in contemporary society.
Type: PDF unit of work
Years: 4–9 |
Gold rush
Features the Ballarat goldfields of 1865. Looks at the challenges miners faced finding gold, and the importance of the Gold Rush era in shaping Australia's population during the mid to late 1800s.
Type: Flash interactive
Years: 3–6 |
Golden fleece
A wool-baling machine is presented as a mystery object and the students have to work our what it is through a series of activities. Produced in conjunction with The Learning Federation.
Type: Flash interactive
Years: P–2 |
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Harvest of Endurance Scroll
A 50-metre-long scroll that represents two centuries of Chinese contact with, and emigration to, Australia. Stories of hardship and survival, resourcefulness and reward are painted in the traditional gong bi style.
Type: Flash interactive
Years: All
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Having opinions on issues - Is this 'good citizenship'?
Provides a way of helping students explore issues in a way that involves active and informed citizenship processes, and is an excellent vehicle for helping students improve their communication skills and confidence, develop informed opinions, and actively engage with decision-makers in their own and the broader community.
Type: PDF unit of work
Years: 6–10
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Heroes of the air
Students read through the pages of two battered flight logs and learn about two famous flights made by Charles Kingsford Smith and his aircrew. One is the first trans-Pacific flight in 1928, and the second is the failed trans-Tasman flight of 1935. The flight logs include photographs, archival moving images and audio files. Produced in conjunction with The Learning Federation.
Type: Flash interactive
Years: 3–6 |
Hooked on the Goulburn River
A collection of stories about people and fish 'hooked' on the Goulburn River.
Type: Website including audio
Years: 5–12 |
How do museums represent history?
Investigates the way in which the National Museum of Australia has created representations of aspects of our past, and encourages students to critically analyse those representations.
Type: PDF unit of work
Years: 9–12 |
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In Search of Ned Kelly
Looks at how Ned Kelly has been portrayed in photographs, by himself and by his victims, and through other evidence such as ballads, contemporary drawings and the writings of historians and other commentators.
Type: PDF unit of work
Years: 6–10 |
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Jerilderie Letter
Ned Kelly justifies his actions in writing. The original transcription by John Hanlon shown side-by-side with a typed translation.
Type: Flash interactive
Years: 5–12
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Journey of the Hong Hai
Students recreate the journey of the Hong Hai - the first case of refugee 'boat people' landing on Australia's shores. Produced in conjunction with The Learning Federation.
Type: Flash interactive
Years: 3–6 |
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'Laughing with Knives': Exploring political cartoons
Linked to the National Museum's 2002 political cartooning competition and the exhibition, Cartoons 2002: Life, Love and Politics, this unit of work asks students to examine and analyse a number of political cartoons by learning how to 'read' cartoons.
Type: PDF unit of work
Years: 8–12 |
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League of Legends
This exhibition at the National Museum of Australia celebrates 100 years of rugby league in Australia. Teachers will find links to student education activities designed to facilitate a thorough investigation of the exhibition and the game itself, from a variety of viewpoints and topics.
Type: PDF activity sheets
Years: 6–8
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Life at the time of Federation
Encourages students to investigate what life was like in Australia at the time of Federation through an examination of a 'time capsule' containing seven key objects used at the time of Federation.
Type: PDF unit of work
Years: Years 6–10 |
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Making tracks
Making Tracks is a series of books which takes young readers on a fictional journey through some fascinating Australian stories, inspired by objects from the National Museum of Australia's collection. The series is written and illustrated by leading Australian children's authors and artists.
Type: Children's books for purchase
Years: 4–6 |
Many Rhymes, One Rhythm
Explore the hip hop talents of kids from some of Australia's most remote locations. Includes an interactive music mixer.
Type: Website and Flash interactive music mixer
Years: K–6 |
Miss Australia: A Nation's Quest
Considers social change in Australia from 1945-2000 through an exploration of source material – objects, images and documents – presented in the Miss Australia exhibition.
Type: PDF unit of work
Years: 8–12 |
Mystery object: Torres Strait Islands
Students learn about Torres Strait Islander history and culture and find clues about this object's use and cultural significance. Produced in conjunction with The Learning Federation.
Type: Flash interactive
Years: 5–6 |
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Nation: Investigating Images of the Nation
Students explore the meaning of some significant symbols of Australia by analysing Museum objects and artefacts from the Nation gallery.
Type: PDF unit of work
Years: 6–10 |
National parks
Introduces students to Myles Dunphy, one of the founders of Australia's conservation movement in the 1930s. Produced in conjunction with The Learning Federation.
Type: Flash interactive
Years: P–2 |
New homes
Learn about two 'displaced persons' who migrated to Australia from Europe after World War II and make a museum exhibition about their stories. Produced in conjunction with The Learning Federation.
Type: Flash interactive
Years: 2–6 |
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Oscar's Sketchbook
Depictions of a young Aboriginal man's memories of growing up in far north Queensland.
Type: Flash interactive
Years: 5–6
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Our Voices
Our Voices examines the historical and contemporary issues that have shaped the Australian culture.
Type: Children's books for purchase
Years: 1–6
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Papunya Painting
Showcases the Museum's extraordinary collection of Western Desert art.
Type: Website
Years: K–12
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Pass the Salt
Explores places, examines objects and tells people's stories about salinity in the Wagga Wagga region, New South Wales.
Type: Website
Years: 5–12 |
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Political cartoons: interactive activities
Students investigate sixteen different 2004 Australia Day cartoons and get the chance to interview Geoff Pryor, the long-standing political cartoonist from the Canberra Times.
Type: Flash interactive
Years: 8–12
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Prime Ministers of Australia
Prime Ministers of Australia reviews major issues and events in Australia's political history since Federation. Type: Website
Years: 4–10
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Propert Caravan
For many Australians the Propert caravan brings back memories of family holidays. The caravan has a pale pink exterior, Mexican-pattern curtains, linoleum floor covering in bright geometrical shapes and an interior décor of cream, fawn, red and black.
Type: Flash interactive
Years: K–6 |
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Ranken coach
Explores the Ranken coach, one of the oldest horsedrawn vehicles in Australia.
Type: Flash interactive
Years: 4–12 |
Rare Trades: Making Things by Hand in the Digital Age
Celebrates the art of skilled manual work and ancient trades, their special tools, traditions, languages and secrets which are now threatened by the onslaught of technological change.
Type: PDF unit of work
Years: 5–9 |
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Saibai Island canoe
Students use traditional fishing practices to catch fish, turtles and dugong from your Saibai Island canoe in preparation for a traditional Torres Strait Islander feast. Produced in conjunction with The Learning Federation.
Type: Flash interactive
Years: 5–6 |
Saw Doctor's wagon
Explores a five-tonne wagon that was workplace and home to a self-styled 'saw doctor' during the Depression.
Type: Flash interactive
Years: 5–6 |
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Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Our Textual Heritage
Letters, advertisements, posters, postcards, print media, invitations, government proclamations and protest songs are some of the many text types represented in this lively and authoritative resource that highlights Australia's textual heritage.
Type: Children's book for purchase
Years: 9−10
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Snapshots of Remote Communities
Initiated by the Schools section at the National Museum of Australia and conducted in partnership with various State cultural institutions, the aim of Snapshots is to encourage students living in remote areas of Australia to document their community and share their stories. Armed only with a camera, students are asked to capture images of what they think is important about their community from local characters and daily life to natural features or landmarks.
Type: Website
Years: K–6 |
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Talkback Classroom
Features short video interviews between students and high profile personalities.
Type: Website
Years: 9–12
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Teaching Values
Teaching Values draws on the collection of the National Museum of Australia to provide a new set of texts for teachers to share with their students as they work with the nine Values for Australian Schooling:
Type: Teacher resource for purchase
Years: 4-6 |
To Mars and Beyond: Search for the Origins of Life
Explores our fascination with space including Australia's contribution to rocket research and current investigations in the search for life in the universe.
Type: PDF education kit for teachers
Years: 5–9 |
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Virtual tour
Take a virtual tour of the Museum.
Type: Flash interactive
Years: All |
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Women and equality as citizens
Examines significant movements that have contributed to women's equality as citizens during the twentieth century including female suffrage, Indigenous rights (especially in relation to women), equal employment and the feminist movement.
Type: PDF unit of work
Years: 6–12 |
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