Astronomy Using Available Resources: Bush Tucker and Medicines, Ochres, Dyes and Utensils
General
Science Years 7-10 - from Aboriginal educational contexts, NSW Board of Studies. The main focus of the Aboriginal Perspectives in Science Project has been the development of teaching-learning resources that might assist Science teachers to develop programs emphasising the Aboriginal and Indigenous cross-curriculum content, dealing with it in culturally appropriate ways and in authentic contexts.
- Story 1: Environment - Aboriginal Perspectives - from Wagga Wagga region, covers Keeping Warm, Classifying Animals and Managing the Environment
- Story 2: Introducing Our Changing Earth - from Newcastle/Central Coast region
- Story 3: Astronomy - Aboriginal Perspectives - from Wollongong region, inlcudes The Cosmos - Things in the Sky and Our Solar System
- Story 4: Technology - Aboriginal Perspectives - from Mt Druitt region, includes What is Technology?, Technology Making Life Easier, Aboriginal Persons Working in Science and Technology and Impact of Technology on Society
Aboriginal Studies Across the Curriculum - from Teachers on the Web, Aussie SchoolHouse
Teaching ideas and resources - by Michael Michie. Teaching ideas, resources and lesson plans for Aboriginal studies
Indigenous Science Network - from convenor Michael Michie. The Indigenous Science Network originated from a meeting in Darwin (Australia) in 1998 for people attending the Australian Science Teachers' Conference (CONASTA) and the conference of the Australasian Science Education Research Association (ASERA) who were interested in Indigenous science. It has expanded to include people from all over the globe and includes academics, researchers and classroom practitioners. The Network is a web-based exchange of information and ideas. The bulletins have been produced every two months and have been archived at the website. A number of useful links have been established.
Astronomy
NSW Syllabus reference:
General
- 4.9.2 (Additional content) Components of the universe, explain how different cultures have interpreted constellations
- 5.9.1 the big bang theory, a) discuss current scientific thinking about the origin of the universe
- 5.9.1 (Additional content) the big bang theory, compare the big bang theory with other theories of the development of the universe
- 5.9.1 (Additional content) the big bang theory, investigate the ways in which different societies have described changes in the universe observed over recorded time
Archaeoastronomy and Ethnoastronomy - from UniServe Science. A web-based activity exploring how different cultures have interpreted constellations
OtherAboriginal Cosmology and Environmental Knowledge - from Aboriginal Education, NSW Board of Studies. Good background information for teachers
The Sun and Moon - some Aboriginal perspectives - Aboriginal Education and Employment Services, South Australia. Activity sheet (pdf, 143 kb)
Astronomy and Australian Indigenous People - Astronomical Society of South Australia. Good background information for teachers (pdf, 318 kb)
Australian Aboriginal Astronomy - from CSIRO. Provides a basic introduction to Aboriginal Astronomy, as well as resources for further reading
The Emu in the Sky - from Questacon. A range of Aboriginal astronomy myths
Traditions of the Sun - Native Americans in New Mexico and the ancient Maya in the Yucatan
Inuit Sky Culture - from The Stellarium. An introductin to Inuit sky culture
Ancient Egyptian astronomy - compares Ancient Egyptian and Chinese astronomy
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Meteorology and Seasons
NSW Syllabus reference:
Australian Aborigines
- 4.9.4 the atmosphere (additional content), relate changes in atmospheric conditions to weather phenomena and energy transfer processes
- 4.9.1 the Newtonian model of the solar system, d) explain the seasons in terms of the tilt of Earth’s axis and its revolution around the sun
OtherIndigenous Weather Knowledge - from Bureau of Meteorology. An introduction to Indigenous weather methods
The Lost Seasons - from The Lab, ABC's gateway to Science
A Celestial Calendar (The Seasons) - from Questacon. An introduction to the Celestial Calendar
Seasonal Calendar - from Burarra Gathering, Questacon. About the indigenous Seasonal Calendar
5 Seasons - from Australian Screen, includes short video clip
The Inundation - from Tour Egypt. A feature story on The Inundation
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Using Available Resources: Bush Tucker and Medicines, Ochres, Dyes and Utensils
NSW Syllabus reference:
Australian Aborigines
- 4.11 (Additional Content) Resources, research Aboriginal people’s use of natural materials (including ochres and natural dyes), artefacts and weapons, shelter and housing, and cloth and string production
- 4.8.5 (Additional content) Humans, describe the nutritional requirements for maintaining humans as functioning organisms
- 5.8.4 (Additional content) Humans, discuss the impact on the health of Aboriginal peoples brought on by changes since the arrival of Europeans
Aboriginal Use of Native Plants - resources developed by UniServe Science
Traditional Aboriginal Painting Methods - from Aboriginal Art Online. An introduction to various Aboriginal painting methods
Technology - an introduction to the Ngadjonji's use of raw materials for the production of a wide variety of objects which made their lives more secure and comfortable.
Aboriginal Plant Use and Technology - from Australian National Botanic Gardens (pdf, 329kb)
Aboriginal Tools and Culture - a CultureQuest on Aboriginal tools and culture
Mining by Aborigines – Australia's first miners - a PrimeFacts fact sheet from NSW Department of Primary Industries (pdf 647 kb)
Stories of the Dreaming - from Indigenous Australia. Find out about about custodianship of the Dreaming stories, secret/sacred issues and special copyright
Rock painting - a lesson plan from CSIRO
Iron Oxide Pigments - from Primary Industries and Resources, South Australia. An introduction to Iron Oxide Pigments; commonly used in Aboriginal art
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Managing the land
NSW Syllabus reference:
Australian Aborigines
- 5.10 Ecosystems (Additional content): describe how the land management practices and techniques of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples have changed the environment
Environmental knowledge and land management - from Engaging with Australian Indigenous Science, Michael Michie. An introduction to environmental knowledge and land management methods used by Aborigines
Mindjongork: Legacy of the firestick - Proceedings of the 1994 symposium on Biodiversity and Fire in North Australia. Good background information for teachers
Fire - from Alice Springs Desert Park. Includes culture notes, student activities and teaching plans
The Future Eaters - television from ABC
The Impact of Fire: An Historical Perspective - by Jim Kohen, Australian Societies for the Growing of Australian Plants
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Weapons
NSW Syllabus reference:
Australian Aborigines
- 4.12 technology (additional content), identify some advantages of levers, pulleys, gears and inclined planes
- 4.12 technology (additional content), analyse various simple machines in terms of energy input and output and work done
- 4.12 technology, (additional content) describe some traditional technologies used and developed by different indigenous peoples
Other culturesWeapons and Tools - of the Ngadjonji Rainforest People
Aboriginal Plant Use and Technology - from Australian National Botanic Gardens (pdf 329 kb)
Aboriginal tools and culture - from CultureQuest
Indigenous technology - from Questacon. An introduction to various forms of indigenous technology
How Boomerangs Work - from How Stuff Works. Includes videos
Traditional tools, weapons and utensils - from Partnership, Acceptance, Learning and Sharing Network
Australian Indigenous tools and technology - from Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. An introduction to Australian Indigenous tools and technology
Hunting Tools and Techniques; Food Preparation and Storage - of the The Beothuks, the indigenous people Newfoundland
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Musical instruments and noise makers
NSW Syllabus reference:
Australian Aborigines
- 4.12 technology, (additional content) describe some traditional technologies used and developed by different indigenous peoples
- 4.6.4 sound energy, a) describe sound as a form of energy requiring a medium for propagation
- 5.6.1 (additional content) wave model, relate the speed of light and the speed of sound to frequency and wavelength
- 5.6.1 (additional content) wave model, describe quantitatively features of waves including frequency, wavelength and speed
OtherAustralian Aboriginal Musical Instruments: The Didjeridu, The Bullroarer And The Gumleaf - by Neville H. Fletcher, Australian National University
Traditional Aboriginal Musical Instruments - from Aborignal Art Online. A list of musical instruments, includes descriptions
Australian Aboriginal Music - general information from Southern Cross University
Traditional Aboriginal Music - from Australian Aboriginal Art and Culture Centre. Includes map depicting the distrubution of instrument types
Make a didgeridoo - didjeridu - either from wood or PVC pipe, from Didges We Doo
Checklist of Musical Instruments of the Indigenous Peoples of North America - from the National Music Museum
The Inuit Drum Dancer - from Inuit Art of Canada
Extreme Singing - from The Pure Drop, ABC. Includes video demonstrating extreme singing
Index of Musical Instruments - an index of instruments from the program The Pure Drop, ABC
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