Virtual Workshop: First Contacts

We’re introducing pre- and post-workshop activities to support your virtual learning for 2024! 

Western Australia has had a variety of first contacts between visitors to the shores and local Aboriginal peoples. Hear stories of first contact, from British colonization to shipwrecks and Makassan trepangers, based on objects found in the museum’s galleries.  

Students hear three stories of first contact from around Western Australia, considering the history and impacts of each of these encounters. In this interactive virtual session, students engage directly with a museum educator, participate in discussions and interactive activities, view video content, answer questions and complete a worksheet related to the first contact stories.  

In 2024, support your student’s learning with our additional pre- and post-session activities that will be emailed to the teacher with the link for the session.   

Student experience 

Student will  

• Engage directly with a Museum educator with a private class link.
• Hear first-contact stories about local Aboriginal peoples and British, Dutch and Makassans that relate to objects in the Museum.  
• Critically think about these first contacts and the nature of engagement, including the impacts of these cultural collisions.
• Participate in discussion, share ideas, view video content and take part in interactive activities.
• Record their findings on a sheet to utilise in class after the program.

Program feedback 

“Content matched the curriculum, students involved in activities, brain breaks effective, presenter very clear and easy to understand.”

Skills development

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

Year 4

First contacts

• The diversity and longevity of Australia's first peoples and the ways they are connected to country/place (e.g. land, sea, waterways, skies) and their pre-contact ways of life (ACHASSK083)
• The nature of contact between Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples and others (e.g. the Macassans, Europeans) and the impact that these interactions and colonisation had on the environment and people's lives (ACHASSK086)

Year 5

The Australian Colonies

• The patterns of colonial development and settlement (e.g. geographical features, climate, water resources, transport, discovery of gold) and how this impacted upon the environment (e.g. introduced species) and the daily lives of the different inhabitants (e.g. convicts, free settlers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples) (ACHASSK107)

Year 6

A diverse and connected world

• Australia's connections with countries (e.g. trade, migration, tourism, aid, education, defence, sport) and how these connections change people and places (ACHASSK141).

FAQ: Virtual Class Workshops

What will I need to participate?

• Screen and speakers – so you can see and hear us.
• Camera and microphone – so we can see and hear you.
• Teacher – you will be needed to assist with classroom management and maintain the connection within the classroom.

What platform will the session be on?

The session will be run via Microsoft Teams. Participants will be able to join the session via this platform online, even if they do not have a Microsoft Teams account. You can use the Google Chrome browser to join your session as a guest online.

How and when will I receive my link to join?

Your link to join the session will be sent to the email address used at the time of booking prior to the session. Please contact us at education@museum.wa.gov.au or phone 1300 134 081 if you have not received your link the day before your booked session.

Does a teacher need to be present?

Yes, a teacher is required to be present at all times to assist with classroom management and technical support if required.

Will my students require anything?

We will send out a worksheet for students to complete during the session. This will be sent as a pdf with the session link prior to your session. Please print a copy of the worksheet for each student to complete during the session.

How many classes can I have on one call?

We are currently only offering our sessions on an individual class basis for up to 32 students at a time. This is to allow maximum interactivity and engagement with the facilitator. You may book multiple classes in other available time slots on the same day.

What if I have students learning from home?

We understand there may be instances when you and your class are unable to be together. We are happy to accommodate multiple logins from different locations to the call if requested. Please let us know if you require this prior to your session, by emailing education@museum.wa.gov.au or phone 1300 134 081.  

Who can I contact if I have further questions? 

You can contact us by emailing education@museum.wa.gov.au or phone 1300 134 081 if you have any additional questions.