Learning Resources

Western Australian Museum is more than a collection of buildings.

It is the home to over eight million collection items, some of which can be traced back almost to the beginning of the Earth. Working behind the scenes are passionate curators, researchers and educators who use those collections to help us understand our world.

While the best way to experience our Museums and explore the collection is on a school excursions. But there are also learning resources available online that can be used in the classroom or at home.

We have collected the resources together into the subject areas below.  Check this page regularly as we will continue to add resources as they become available.

To stay connect follow @wamuseum on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. You can also join our education mailing list to receive information about our education programs and teacher professional development.

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Recently Added

Deep Light

Deep Light

PDF Resource
Years 10: HASS

Students will investigate the World War Two battle between HMAS Sydney (II) and HSK Kormoran using images from the 2015 expedition to the wreck sites and other primary source material. Includes activities on censorship during wartime and commemoration.

Fremantle Fishing boat Harbour

Migration Stories Online

Online webinar
Year 3-6: HASS

In this online webinar teachers will explore online tools and resources to engage with stories of migration to WA, and simple ways to remotely explore Northbridge and Fremantle to discover the contributions of migrants to our community.

Batavia Anchor

Marine & Maritime Studies

Website
Years 11 & 12: Science

A collection of online resources to assist teachers and students with Units in the Marine & Maritime Studies syllabus.


HASS Resources

Afghan cameleers loading camels

WA Goldfields

Online exhibition
Year 4-10: HASS, Science The Arts

Looking for project material about the Kalgoorlie Gold Rushes, this is a great place to start with wonderful photos showing the life on the “Fields”.

Miner to Magnate

Miner to Magnate

Online quiz
Year 5: HASS

In this quiz students answer a series of questions on a range of different Mid West minerals from guano to gold, learning fun facts through entertaining infographics.

From Ground to Port

From Ground to Port

Online Game
Year 5: HASS

In this game students will learn about iron ore mining in Western Australia’s Mid West from the 1960s to today.

Lustre

Lustre: Pearling in Australia

Exhibition Panels, PDF Resource
Years 5-6: HASS

Students can explore the human story of pearling in Australia.

Right Wrongs

Right Wrongs: ’67 referendum

Online exhibition
Years 10: HASS

In this online exhibition students will relfect on the long and ongoing fight for recognition and equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people since the 1967 Referendum.

Right Wrongs Badge

Right Wrongs: Education Toolkit

PDF Resource
Years 10: HASS

This educational toolkit expands on the Right Wrongs: ’67 referendum online exhibition and contains contains further information,images, community perspectives and student activities.

HMAS Sydney

HMAS Sydney (II)

Online Exhibition
Years 10: HASS

Students can explore the story of Australia's worse naval disaster in World War Two, the loss of HMAS Sydney (II), the conspiracies and the 2008 and 2015 expedition that led to new evidence.

HMAS Sydney Activities

HMAS Sydney (II)

Online activities
Years 7-10: HASS

Students can complete a series of activities about the loss of the HMAS Sydney (II)

Deep Light

Deep Light

PDF Resource
Years 10: HASS

Students will investigate the World War Two battle between HMAS Sydney (II) and HSK Kormoran using images from the 2015 expedition to the wreck sites and other primary source material. Includes activities on censorship during wartime and commemoration.

Dirk Hartog HTAWA

Dirk Hartog - HTAWA

External Partner Website
Years 3 & 4: HASS

A resource for Year 3 and Year 4 History teachers using the story of Dirk Hartog in the context of the Dutch East India Company and journeys to the Spice Islands, to develop historical inquiry skills as well as sequencing and use of historical terms.

1616 - Dirk Hartog

1616 - Dirk Hartog

Website
Years 4-12: HASS

A comprehensive microsite created to commemorate the first recorded landing of Dirk Hartog and the crew of Eendracht on the Western Australian Coast. Students will find out about the VOC spice trade, various VOC vessels and the trade routes followed such as Brouwer’s route. Contains maps, timelines and images.

Market Stall

Travellers and Traders

Online Exhibition
Years 4-12: HASS

This online feature includes text and images from exhibition panels used in the Travellers and Traders in the Indian Ocean World exhibition that was at the WA Maritime Museum in 2016-17. Students can find out about the rich history of the Indian Ocean, and stories of the traders, explorers and the many different peoples who inhabit its shores.

The Art of Science

The Art of Science

PDF Resources
Year 4-10: HASS, Science The Arts

Students will use paintings and drawings by the French crew of the 1800-1804 Baudin Voyagers to Australia as source material to explore the voyage, the collecting of nature and first encounters with Aboriginal people.

Debt of Honor

Debt of Honor

Online Exhibition & PDF Resource
Years 10: HASS

Students will examine the World War Two effort of Australia’s first guerrilla commandos and their life-long endeavour to repay a ‘debt of honour’ to the people of Timor-Leste.


Science Resources

Frog Watch

Frog Watch

Online Exhibition & Games
Year K-6: Science, Sustainability

Welcome to the wonderful world of frogs! The South West of Western Australia is home to around 30 species of frogs. Hop inside and discover a range of resources to assist students to learn about their local frog species, their habitats, and wetlands ecosystems.

Cockatoo Care

Cockatoo Care

PDF Activity Sheets
Year 4-6: Science

A series of colouring in activity sheets that encourage further research of the three threatened species of black cockatoos endemic to South West WA.

Build A Bug

Build-A-Bug

PDF Activity Sheets
Year K-6: Science

Students will learn how the anatomy of an insect affects its abilities and relationship to its environment by designing their very own insect.

Dinosaur Discovery

Dinosaur Discovery

Exhibition Panels, PDF Resource
Years 5: Science

Students can explore the Cretaceous world and find out how dinosaurs adapted to their environment.

Life on the Edge

Life on the Edge Down Under

Video, PDF Teacher resource
Years 4-9: Science

Students can find out what animals live in the Dampier Archipelago and how their lives interact.

Our Backyard

Our Backyard

Video
Years 4-9: Science

Join two local Pilbara students, with scientists from the Western Australian Museum, on a journey of discovery through the fourty-two islands of the Dampier Archipelago.

Beneath the Waves

Beneath the Waves

Interactive Documentary
Years 4-9: Science

An interactive documentary where students can explore with the WA Museum scientists the marine environments of the Kimberley.

Field Guide

WA Fauna Field Guide

iPhone/iPad App
Years 7-10: Science

A mobile fauna guide for students that includes image, descriptions, maps of distribution and endangered species status.

The Art of Science

The Art of Science

PDF Resources
Year 4-10: HASS, Science The Arts

Students will use paintings and drawings by the French crew of the 1800-1804 Baudin Voyagers to Australia as source material to explore the voyage, the collecting of nature and first encounters with Aboriginal people.

FameLab 2020

FameLab 2020

External Partner Website
Years 7-12: Science

FameLab is a science communication competition that aims to discover charismatic early career scientists. The 2020 competition has gone virtual. Students can view the semi-finalists from each Australian state and vote for their favourite finalist on the 30 April.

Batavia Anchor

Marine & Maritime Studies

Website
Years 11 & 12: Science

A collection of online resources to assist teachers and students with Units in the Marine & Maritime Studies syllabus.


Other Subject Resources

Pirates Apprentice

Pirates Apprentice

PDF Resource
Year K-3: English, HASS, Science, The Arts

A collection of pirate themed activities.

One State Many Languages

One State Many Languages

PDF Resources
Years K-10: Languages

Activities to encourage students to find out more about Western Australia’s cultures and languages.

Nick Cave

Nick Cave: The Exhibition

Online Game
Year 10-12: English, Music, Visual Arts

Students can examine Australian cultural icon Nick Cave through the lens of music, visual arts and English.

Kylie on Stage

Kylie On Stage

Videos, PDF Resource
Years 7-10: The Arts, Technologies

Using Kylie Minogue as a stimulus students can explore what makes a cultural icon and how design contributes and the role museums play.


Excursions at our Fremantle Museums

Prepare your students for an unforgettable excursion at the WA Maritime Museum and WA Shipwrecks Museums in Fremantle!

Your students will explore our rich maritime heritage, ocean-centric culture and how our coastline has shaped what it means to be Western Australian.

Closely linked with the Western Australian school curriculum, the Museum's education programs are filled with hands-on discovery and fascinating historical tales that only the State’s museums can offer.

Below are some programs that will be available for booking by school groups again soon. Sign up to our education newsletter to be notfied when bookings recommence.

de Vlamingh's Journey

de Vlamingh's Journey

WA Shipwrecks Museum
Year 4: HASS

Join the fleet of Willem de Vlamingh as he explores the coast of the ‘Southland’, searching for lost ships, making maps, collecting natural specimens, and leaving behind what became one of the most famous objects in the Shipwrecks Museum’s collection.

Strangers on the Shore

Strangers on the Shore

WA Shipwrecks Museum
Year 5: HASS

Learn about the challenges that new colonial arrivals faced, during and after their journey to the Swan River.

Immigration Stories

Immigration Stories

WA Maritime Museum
Year 6: HASS

The WA Maritime Museum is the perfect location to explore the stories of people who migrated to Australia. The Museum is located on Victoria Quay in historic Fremantle where many people disembarked ships to start the Australian part of their migration story.

A Trek Through Time

A Trek Through Time

WA Maritime & Shipwrecks Museums
Years 4-6: HASS

This fun walking trail between the WA Shipwrecks Museum and the WA Maritime Museum is filled with discovery, while providing historical and geographical knowledge and understanding.

Submarine Tours

Submarine Tours

WA Maritime Museum
Years 4-12: HASS

Find out what life is like aboard a submarine and immerse yourself in Fremantle's secret wartime history. The Oberon class Submarine HMAS Ovens is an authentic Cold War-era vessel. This exhibit serves as a living memorial to submariners and those who gave their lives during Australia’s Naval history.

Under the Dome

Under the Dome

WA Maritime Museum
Years K-12: HASS, Science

WA Museum has partnered with Fremantle documentary company, Prospero Productions, to bring your students an immersive cinema experience… Under the Dome at WA Maritime Museum.