S3 Aboriginal Culture - Valuing traditional skills

Outcomes

• SU Biological sciences – The growth and survival of living things are affected by physical conditions of their environment.
• SHE Use and influence of Science – Scientific knowledge is used to solve problems and inform personal and community decisions 

Content

• Investigating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ knowledge and understanding of the physical conditions necessary for survival of certain plants and animals in the environment.
• Discussing how modern approaches to fire ecology in Australia are being informed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ traditional ecological knowledge and fire management practices.

Cross Curriculum Priorities

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures
• Sustainability

Activity 1 - Traditional fire making

Students learn how fire and Cultural burning was and is used  to change landscapes and what bushfire looks like without cool burns. Students then have a go at making their own fire traditionally.  

Activity 2 - Tools and weapons

Students learn about properties of a range of plants around Brewongle before examining some traditional tools and weapons. What makes clapsticks so loud? Would stringybark make a good shield? How do the tools get so smooth/sharp?  

Activity 3 - Spear throwing

Students learn some techniques for throwing spears, including using woomeras to extend the throw, before trying their hand at spear throwing.     

Activity 4 - Boomerang throwing

Students learn how to throw a boomerang, then attempt to throw one themselves.   

There is no worksheet required for this program.

There are no pre-excursion requirements for this program.