Muck in to some Mid West mining mayhem this July at the Western Australian Museum – Geraldton and enjoy the chance to explore Mid West mining which takes place right here on our doorstep.
Have you been and visited Unearthed: Mining Stories from the Mid West yet? This community exhibition tells the story of mining in our region from ochre to Oakajee and everything in between. Bring your mum and dad, grandparents and friends and see if they have a mining story to share too. Visit the website www.museum.wa.gov.au/unearthed for more information.
And because it’s school holidays, there are some great opportunities to explore Mid West mining with games, activities trails and workshops.
Mine Site
How much do you know about mining? Start with a visit to the Mine Site, a place of activity, discovery and lots of fun for children and their families.
· Minerals mined in the Mid West - Can you identify the minerals by the clues given?
· Hi Ho! It’s off to work we go - Delve into the dress up box and deck yourself out ready for a day at the mine site.
· Ore-some! - Test your ability and steer the small-scale dump truck from the mine face and take the load of ore to the crusher and the hopper loader.
· Shovelling dirt - Create your own mine site story with this felt board, complete with shovel excavator, front end loader and dump truck.
· Pay Dirt Puzzle - Put together the missing pieces of the puzzle and find the lost gold mine.
WHEN: Activities between 9.30am – 4.00pm, 9 – 25 July 2011
COST: FREE
INFO: 9921 5080
Creating crystals – Workshop
Find out which Mid West minerals have a crystalline structure. Using a cool process create your own crystal shape. Finished crystals can be collected from the Museum the following day.
AGES: 4 years and above
COST: $5 per child
DURATION: 1 hour
WHEN: 1.00pm, 12 & 19 July 2011, 10.00am, 14 & 21 July 2011
Mullock muck – Workshop
Gold mines often have mullock dumps, all the left over stuff that cannot be used. It can be disgusting. Make this ooey, gooey, mullocky slime and gross out!
AGES: 8 years and above
COST: $2 per child
DURATION: 0.5 hour
WHEN: 10.00am & 11.00am, 13 July 2011, 1.00pm & 2.00pm, 20 July 2011
Down the mine shaft – Workshop
In the olden days miners had to physically climb up the mine when they were finished at the end of each day. Make you own miner and help him climb up the mine shaft. Will he struggle or will he climb up with ease?
AGES: 6 years and above
COST: $5 per child
DURATION: 1 hour
WHEN: 1.00pm, 13 July 2011, 10.00am, 20 July 2011
Unearthed: A play experience
A chance to explore and develop your directing and acting skills as you bring some of the extraordinary Unearthed stories to life! Be part of the Museum theatre production.
AGES: 8 years and above
COST: $5 per child
DURATION: 1.5 hours
WHEN: 1.00pm, 14 July 2011
ACTIVITY BOOKINGS: Essential for workshops only on 9921 5080
Programs are subject to availability. All children under 12 years must be accompanied by an adult.
Further details go to the website www.museum.wa.gov.au/whatson-geraldton or call 9921 5080
Teresa Belcher Western Australian Museum 9212 3856
Catherine Belcher Western Australian Museum – Geraldton 99215080
