Then and Now

How and why do things change over time? What's different about then and now?

This brand new program for 2024 will explore change through a social and geological lens, as we use Boola Bardip as a case study to explore the concepts of  "then and now".   

Students will be able to hear stories, explore galleries and get hands-on with the past, considering the changes that have occurred over different time periods. 

Student experience 

Students will explore the concept of then and now by:

• Taking a narrative-based journey through Boola Bardip
• Investigating and comparing objects from the past with the present 
• Getting hands-on with real and replica objects 

Support your student learning when you explore the rest of the museum by downloading our 'Then and Now' self-guided trail! This trail will take you around some of the past and present links that can be made as you explore Boola Bardip for yourself!

Skill development

This program links to the following strands of the Western Australian curriculum:

Pre-primary 

• Geography: People live in places: The representation of familiar places, such as schools, parks and lakes on a pictorial map (ACHASSK014).
• History: Personal and family histories: How the stories of families and the past can be communicated and passed down from generation to generation (e.g. photographs, artefacts, books, oral histories, digital media, museums) and how the stories may differ, depending on who is telling them (ACHASSK013).

Year 1

• Geography: Places have distinctive features: The natural, managed and constructed features of places, their location on a pictorial map, how they may change over time (e.g. erosion, revegetated areas, planted crops, new buildings) and how they can be cared for (ACHASSK031)
• History: Present and past family life: How the present, past and future are signified by terms indicating time (e.g. 'a long time ago'; 'then and now'; 'now and then'; 'old and new'; 'tomorrow') as well as by dates and changes that may have personal significance (e.g. birthdays, holidays, celebrations, seasons) (ACHASSK029).

Year 2

• Geography: People are connected to many places: Local features and places are given names, that have meaning to people, and these places can be defined on a variety of scales, including personal (e.g. home), local (e.g. street, suburb or town), regional (e.g. state) and national (e.g. country) (ACHASSK048)
• History: The past in the present: The history of a significant person, building, site or part of the natural environment in the local community and what it reveals about the past (ACHASSK044). The importance today of a historical site (e.g. community building, landmark, war memorial, rock painting, engraving) and why it has heritage significance and cultural value for present generations (e.g. a record of a significant historical event, aesthetic value, reflects the community's identity) (ACHASSK045). The impact of changing technology on people's lives (e.g. at home, work, travel, communication, leisure, toys) and how the technology of the past differs from what is used today (ACHASSK046).

Year 3

• History: Communities and remembrance: One important example of change and one important example of continuity over time in the local community, region or state/territory (e.g. in relation to the areas of transport, work, education, natural and built environments, entertainment, daily life) (ACHASSK062).

Facilitated Workshops

Our highly regarded facilitated workshops continue to set the mark by being well researched, engaging and highly inclusive. They are the best way to experience the Museum with your class, no matter what year level you teach.

All facilitated workshops are led by the Museum’s experienced Learning and Engagement team and have been curated using the Museum’s unique resources to provide a deeper learning experience in our specialist subject areas.

Your booking for a facilitated workshop will include all materials and activities for the duration of the program with no prior preparation required.

As part of all facilitated workshop bookings, you are welcome to explore the rest of the Museum free of charge pre or post workshop and do not need to make any additional bookings to do so.  WA Museum Boola Bardip is open daily from 9.30am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm.