2013 Clem Burns Heritage Award

This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the discovery of the Vergulde Draeck (April 1963) and the Batavia (June 1963) shipwrecks.

The 2013 award will focus on these wrecks with students encouraged to appreciate the history of their local area, the impact of trade between Europe and the Dutch East Indies in the 1600s, the need for laws to be drafted to protect shipwrecks and the role maritime archaeologists play in helping us better understand the history of this period.

The task is designed to be a practical learning activity incorporating a number of learning areas.

The 2013 task for students is to research the history of either the Vergulde Draeck or the Batavia.

Students are then required to:

  • Present their findings in less than 400 words. Who, What, When, Where and Why?

Sources need to be acknowledged.  

  • Construct a model reflecting their knowledge.
  • Present a design or plan of their proposed model.
  • Evaluate the model on completion. Evaluation forms will be supplied.

For information on these wrecks start with a visit to the Western Australian Museum database.

http://museum.wa.gov.au/maritime-archaeology-db/wrecks 

The models do not have to be of the actual ships. Students may wish to make a relief map of the world showing trade routes or models of maritime archaeologists at work or perhaps the Abrolhos Islands showing where the Batavia was wrecked, where the fort was built etc. We encourage students to be creative within the above criteria.

The competition is open to all primary school students in the Mid West. Students will be permitted to work in pairs to complete the project. Teachers please indicate if a child is ESU or requires special consideration.

There will be no distinction between work completed at school and that completed at home. All students who complete work at home will require a form signed by their caregiver stating that the work was completed without assistance from others.

Categories for 2013

  • Category 1: Years 3 and 4
  • Category 2: Years 5 and 6
  • Category 3: Year 7

The number of entries is limited to 12 per classroom due to a limited display area.

Entry size is restricted to 40cm x 40cm and must be 3D.

Please attach the research and evaluation sheet to the bottom of the model in a plastic sleeve. The entry form is to be attached to the front of the model.

The closing date is Friday 5 July 2013. Models will be accepted from Monday 1 July. For schools in outlying areas, models will be accepted over the weekend by prior arrangement.

The judges will include experienced primary school educators and their decision is final. The overall winner will receive a major prize in addition to an honour board for display in the administration area of their school. Prizes and certificates will also be awarded for the various categories.

The presentation ceremony will be held on Friday 26 July 2013.

For further enquiries phone 99215080 or email mary.callaghan@museum.wa.gov.au.

We hope you find this competition a useful means of assessment and a rewarding learning experience for your class.

Teacher resources: student evaluation sheet and entry form

Word documents

Online versions

Student evaluation sheet

Name:
School:
Year:

My model is:

I chose to research this shipwreck because

The most surprising thing I discovered was:

I think the best part of my model is:

The part I enjoyed doing most was:

The hardest part was:

The thing I would do differently next time is:

I think it is important to know about shipwrecks because:

Signature:
Date:

Entry form

ENTRY FORMS – 2013 Clem Burns Heritage Award 
CLOSING DATE: 5 July 2013

Name:____________________________ Year: _____

Model: _____________________________________

School: ____________________________________

Teacher: ____________________________________

I declare any work completed at home was without assistance and all my child’s own work.

________________________________________

Signature of parent/caregiver