Learning opportunities

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A range of learning experiences on offer

The Gale History Museum at Macquarie University offers educational opportunities and resources for school and university students, including work experience.

School excursions

The Gale History Museum offers a number of excursion opportunities for school students. Our current programs includes

  • Stage 6 ancient history Core Study: Cities of Vesuvius – Pompeii and Herculaneum
  • Stage 1-2 Geography: Waterways as special places
  • Stage 1-3 History Colonial Australia: The White Hart Inn a colonial way-station in Western Sydney

Stage 6 Ancient History Cities of Vesuvius program overview

Forum of Pompeii and Vesuvius

Students will use material culture and object-based analysis to consider how artefactual sources can be used to interpret the past and support historical arguments (AH12-6). They will explore what objects can tell us about everyday life, economy and religion (AHCAH374; ACHAH376; ACHAH377).

Students will learn about the changing nature of excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum and the importance of these sites for the evolution of archaeology as a scientific discipline (ACHAH383).

They will gain insights into the ways in which new research and technologies are enhancing our understanding of life and society in ancient Roman cities (ACHAH381; ACHAH385).

hands holding an ancient Roman coin

The program includes:

  • museum gallery tour with a focus on Roman objects on display
  • a gallery-based activity
  • object-based learning session in which students will have an opportunity to handle Roman antiquities and develop their analytical skills
  • a seminar offering an overview of the history and archaeology of Pompeii and Herculaneum led by
    Dr Yvonne Inall, who will share her experiences of excavating at Pompeii with the Anglo-American
    Project in Pompeii and their important discoveries.



Timetable

Our program runs over four hours, including lunch, commencing from 10am. Groups are advised to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to commencement to allow for morning tea, toilet breaks, etc. Students will engage in three one-hour sessions, located in the museum gallery and our object-based learning lab.

person showing an ancient lamp mould

Our rates

Our rates are calculated based on the number of educators required to deliver the program. Bookings are capped at 60 students.

  • Groups of 1–20 students: $500
    (one educator).
  • Groups of 21–40 students $850
    (two educators).
  • Groups of 41–60 students $1100
    (three educators).

Make an enquiry

To enquire about booking an excursion with us, please complete an Expression of Interest form and email it to us at ghm@mq.edu.au

Stage 1-2 Geography: Waterways as special places program overview

The Gale History Museum offers Geography excursions for Stage 1 and Stage 2 students centred on the importance of waterways as significant places (ACHGK002; ACHGK003).

If you are interested in this program, please email ghm@mq.edu.au to enquire about available booking dates and pricing.

TimeActivityDescriptionSyllabus Link
11:00Welcome and acknowledgement of country
  • Welcome students to MUHM,
  • introduction of staff, acknowledgement of Country
 

11:10

Gallery Tour
  • Students will look at woven objects
  • Students learn about how these objects were used in everyday life

ACHGK002

ACHGK003

ACHGK010

ACHGK011

11:30-12:00

Weaving Activity
  • Students will weave a paper mat that they can take with them

ACHGK002

ACHGK003

ACHGK010

ACHGK011

12:00-12:30Break  
12:30-1:30

Waterways talk

Rivers as special places and places of importance and belonging

  • Students will walk to the creek in front of 25WW and talk learn about why water and clean waterways are important. Students will observe the creek and describe what they see. Is it a special place? What makes it feel special?
  • We will talk about why these special places need to be protected.
  • Students return to OBL lab to ‘clean up’ a dirty river and restore it by planting trees and attracting fish and birds, to make a healthy and protected river environment

ACHGK002

ACHGK003

ACHGK010

ACHGK011

ACHGK012

ACHGK014

ACHGK015

ACHGK018

1:30Reflection and farewell 

Stage 1-3 History Colonial Australia: The White Hart Inn a colonial way-station in Western Sydney program overview

The Gale History Museum at Macquarie University holds objects excavated by archaeologists at the White Hart Inn, a colonial period site, during the Sydney Metro expansion.

If you are interested in this program, please email ghm@mq.edu.au to enquire about available booking dates and pricing.

TimeActivityDescriptionSyllabus link

11:00

Welcome

Now & Then

  • Welcome students to MUHM, introduction of staff
  • Students will learn about how people travelled in the past compared to how people travel now
  • Students will learn about the archaeological material from the colonial era White Hart Inn and how we can explore these traces to understand the past
  • Students will explore evidence of children in the past
  • Distinguish between the past, present and future (ACHHS032, ACHHS048)
  • Explore and use a range of sources about the past (ACHHS034, ACHHS050)
  • Identify and compare features of objects from the past and present (ACHHS035, ACHHS051)
  • Develop a narrative about the past, focussed on the remains of the past (ACHHS037, ACHHS053)
  • Identify differences and similarities between the past and present (ACHHK030)
  • Explore changes in technology as they relate to travel, communication and domestic life (ACHHK046).
11:25

Play in the past,

play today

  • Students will look at the remains of some toys from the White Hart Inn site and think about what play was like in the past
  • Students will play some historic games
  • Identify and compare features of objects from the past and present (ACHHS035, ACHHS051)
  • Develop a narrative about the past, focussed on the remains of the past (ACHHS037, ACHHS053)
  • Identify differences and similarities between the past and present (ACHHK030)
11:45Break  
12:00Storytime & Drawing
  • Students will sit on a rug in the gallery learning space for story time
  • Story highlights will be read from the children’s storybook My Place
  • Children will be invited to draw their place
  • Develop a narrative about the past, focussed on the remains of the past (ACHHS037, ACHHS053)
  • Identify differences and similarities between the past and present (ACHHK030)
12:30Reflection and farewell 
The Gale History Museum at Macquarie University
25C Wally’s Walk
Macquarie University NSW 2109
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