Aboriginal Culture and Lifecycles
Dreamtime stories teach us that everything is connected. Discover the connections between animal life cycles, seasonal changes and the environment using augmented reality to explore the night sky and understand Aboriginal culture.
Program description
Aboriginal Culture and Life Cycles brings the wisdom of the Dreamtime to life, allowing students to explore the life cycles of animals and their connections to the environment, seasons, the night sky and Aboriginal culture.
On their journey, students will encounter an animal, act out a Dreamtime story and interact with their physical environment using augmented reality, all while having a lot of fun!
Students will learn:
- The life cycles and unique features of animals
- Aboriginal connections between the animals, environment, seasons and the night sky
- The power of augmented reality technology to understand the world around us
Program sequence
Connect
Use the activities in the teaching guide (below) to spark students curiosity before their zoo visit.
Connect and Understand
Students will explore Healesville Sanctuary, making connections between animal lifecycles, the environment, seasons and the night sky. Discover augmented reality technology and learn about the world around us.
Your zoo visit will include: Introduction, Healesville Sanctuary Teacher-led activities, Spirits of the Sky presentation and keeper talks. Check out your Teaching Guide for other ideas of what to do at the zoo.
Understand
Use activities in the Teaching Guide to deepen students’ learning back at school.
Act
Use the Teaching Guide to enable students to master their knowledge and skills in real-world contexts.
Program resources
Aboriginal Connections and Lifecycles Teaching Guide *coming soon*
Learning outcomes
Victorian Curriculum 3-4
Living things can be grouped on the basis of observable features and can be distinguished from non-living things
(VCSSU057)
- Students will observe and group Australian animals and plants according to their features
Different living things have different life cycles and depend on each other and the environment to survive (VCSSU058)
- Students will learn about the life stages of Australian animals and their connection to the environment
Earth’s rotation on its axis causes regular changes, including night and day (VCSSU061)
- Through Augmented Reality, students will observe the night sky and relate this to time and the seasons
The many Countries/Places of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout Australia, and the custodial responsibility they have for Country/Place, and how this influences views about sustainability (VCGGK080)
- Students will discover how Wurundjeri ways of living are connected to their environment and its resources
Plan your excursion
Aboriginal Culture and Lifecycles an outdoor all-weather program; the students will need appropriate clothing for weather conditions. This could include a raincoat, hat and sun protection.
The organising teacher should make themselves known to Admission Staff prior to entering Healesville Sanctuary so that payment can be made. More information.
All onsite excursion bookings are subject to coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions and as such are subject to change in line with the Victorian Chief Health Officer’s advice. We will be in contact with all teachers prior to their booked date if we need to clarify any new requirements.
You will need the following to book your excursion:
- Education program of your choice
- Preferred excursion date
- School name and address
- Contact details of organising teacher
- Number of students/classes and their year level