Virtual Lab

A man looking at a dried sea creature. He is smiling.
A man looking at a dried sea creature.
Image copyright WA Museum
Primary/Secondary: Secondary
Year level: 7 - 9
Curriculum:Science
Duration:30 Minutes

Amazing scientists and researchers work at the Western Australian Museum.

Join us as we broadcast one of our incredible researchers directly into your classroom. Each month, we will introduce a new scientist, explore their work and get them to answer questions you submit beforehand.

Skills development:

Virtual Lab program links to the following strands of the Western Australian Curriculum:

Year 7

  • People use science understanding and skills in their occupations and these have influenced the development of practices in areas of human activity (ACSHE121)
  • Classification helps organise the diverse group of organisms (ACSSU111)

Year 8

  • People use science understanding and skills in their occupations and these have influenced the development of practices in areas of human activity (ACSHE136)

Year 9

  • Values and needs of contemporary society can influence the focus of scientific research (ACSHE228)

Year 10

  • Values and needs of contemporary society can influence the focus of scientific research (ACSHE230)
  • The theory of evolution by natural selection explains the diversity of living things and is supported by a range of scientific evidence (ACSSU185)


Previous Programs

A man sitting on rocks.

Amazing Mammals with Dr. Kenny Travouillon

Friday 20 November, 12:30pm

In this Lab we are looking back millions of years to species that lived long ago with the WA Museum’s Mammal Curator, Dr. Kenny Travouillon. Kenny’s work describing new species of mammals sheds light on the evolution of iconic Australian animals by looking at species who have long been extinct.

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Zoe Richards in a wetsuit in the ocean

The secret lives of corals with Dr. Zoe Richards

Friday 23 October, 12:30pm

Dive into the wonderful world of corals! In this Lab, meet Dr. Zoe Richards and learn about the amazing diversity of our Western Australian corals, the important role that they play, and how climate change can impact these creatures.

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A man sitting on rocks.

Captain Planetary Sciences, Dr. Mikael Siversson

Friday 18 September, 12:30pm

Go behind-the-scenes with Dr. Mikael Siversson to learn how these specimens help us understand the history of living things in Western Australian. Mikael will also discuss his own work researching shark fossils found in WA.

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A spider crawling on hands.

Spider Man, Dr. Mark Harvey

Friday 31 July, 12:30pm

Discover how scientists classify species, looking under the microscope and explore the many spiders lurking in the stores of the Museum.

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A lady in a wetsuit on a boat.

Exploring the Deep Blue with Dr Lisa Kirkendale and Dr Nerida Wilson

Friday 21 August, 12:30pm

In this special National Science Week lab, we’re diving into the unknown! Learn how scientists use technology to record unknown species from the deep ocean.

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