| Article Index |
|---|
| Douglas Mawson |
| Years 1–3 |
| Years 3–5 |
| Years 6–7 |
| Years 8–9 |
| Geology |
| Photography |
| All Pages |
Scientist, explorer and adventurer…
Science and History Meet
The scientific information that Mawson and his team acquired in Antarctica and Australia has on-going importance to our understanding of the world in which we live. The gallery also looks at the inspirational quality of his life. Geology, biology and history are covered in this exhibit. Select an appropriate program from the Article Index (right).
Extend Your Visit
The Mawson Archive Box provides a wonderful opportunity to integrate literacy and research skills into both Science and History. Ring Education Bookings to organise a loan of this resource. Suitable for Years 5–9. Take a set of reproductions from the Mawson archives back to your school. Students can then work like real archivists, searching through documents and film for information to answer questions such as;
- What were the scientific interests of the expeditions?
- How did Mawson raise funds for his expeditions?
- How was photography used?
Visit the Gallery Online
Students can follow up their visit by looking through the virtual Mawson gallery by visiting the website:
In the Footsteps of Douglas Mawson
On the website, many of the gallery texts are reproduced in context. We recommend your students use the site after, rather than before their visit because the texts have more meaning if the students have seen the real objects first. However, if your students cannot make it into the actual gallery, the virtual gallery is still a good source for research.
Years 1–3
Students can learn about the excitement of active scientific investigation in Antarctica. Landforms and animals are a major feature of Mawson's expeditions, and this can lead to inquiry about the responsibility that humans have to care for the environment.
Activities led by an adult helper
Sheets that require written answers
Years 3–5
Students can recognise the importance of exploration and investigation of geology and biology in Antarctica. They can focus on the human aspects of Mawson's historical expeditions, or on the scientific information he discovered.
Years 6–7
The Mawson Gallery provides insights into geology and biology of the Antarctic. It also promotes understanding of interdependence and what is needed for sustainable social and physical environments. It promotes the understanding that all living things are connected and interdependent, and encourages appreciation of the fact that we need to live together in ways that maintain the well-being of the planet.
The Gallery has a strong Futures focus, pointing out that our planet's past climates, landforms and environments have been ever-changing, and showing how understanding our past helps us predict possible futures.
Gallery Investigation (Literacy focus)
Years 8-9
This program asks students to look at various aspects of Mawson's Antarctic expeditions, using the gallery to infer what Antarctic exploration was like a century ago. The program also looks at some of the geological and biological work done by the expeditioners – with results still useful today.
Geology
Students studying geology will find much to interest them in the Mawson Gallery.
In the spirit of Mawson's quest for knowledge, a number of the interactive computers have geological themes.
Guide to Interactive Computers
Photography
Students studying photography will find much to interest them in the Mawson Gallery. Read about Early Antarctic photography in the Antartic News:
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