Canberra Educational

Parliament House

A visit to the magnificent Parliament House can include a guided tour, parliamentary role play and hospitalities.

Parliamentary guides conduct special tours of the building which complement the Parliamentary Education Office program. In this program students explore how parliament works by acting as parliamentarians in one of several role plays that teach about parliamentary processes.

Electoral Education Centre

Learn more about our electoral system with this highly acclaimed free educational program. The program is in three parts and is conducted by an Electoral Educator. Session usually last 90 minutes and are made up of

• The theatrette (25mins) - Democracy the Australian way
• The Deazone (20mins) - Discovering Electoral Activities Zone
• The Polling Place (40mins) - A simulated election or referendum

A simulated election or referendum engages students in active learning. The detail and importance of the voting and scrutiny process is reinforced as students become polling officials or voters using ballot papers, ballot boxes and voting screens.

Old Parliament House

As home to Federal Parliament for more than 60 years this heritage listed building is a national landmark symbolising Australia's fascinating political and social history. In an Old Parliament House Education program students experience structured interactive activities, such as role plays and debates that target key issues and events in Australia's History.

Exhibitions within OPH also link to the education programs provided.

Old Parliament House Extras

Magna Carta Place

Magna carta place is located on the west of the Senate side of Old Parliament House garden (opposite the lobby rest). There is a copy of the Magna Carta at Pariliament House which links our parliamentary democracy to 700 years of UK History government being by the people, for the people.

Suffragette Fountain

A Women's history time line is adjacent to this fountain on the House of Reps side of Old Parliament House in the Old Parliament House gardens. This time line commemorates significant events connected with women and federal parliament getting the vote, standing for parliament, women being elected in 1943 (Dorothy Tangney (WA) in the Senate and Edith Lyons (TAS) to the House of Reps) and then major land marks since then, first cabinet minister etc.

Questacon

Kids love Questacon because its fun, teachers love Questacon because its packed with Science. Questacon always makes science fun whether its free falling six metres, watching lightning strike or experiencing a virtual reality shark encounter. The range of shows, programs, hands on activitites and tours is unmatched! Definately one not to miss.

Australian Institute of Sport

The AIS offers 1.5 hour tours, guided by an athlete and covers the AIS site including gymnastics, swimming, basketball etc. As well as hands - on interactive exhibit 'sportex'.

National Museum of Australia

National Museum of Australia is a place where stories come alive, where students imaginations are stimulated and where every object and artefact tells a story. Both selfguided and paid, facilitated programs are available. Programs are available for primary and secondary students across the HSIE, History, English and Media curriculum.

Australian War Memorial

The goal of facilitated education programs at the War Memorial is to assist students, remember, interpret and understand the Australian experience of War and its enduring impact on society. Programs draw on real objects and fascinating stories using hands - on items and interactive discussion to engage students.

All programs are linked to national curriculum profiles for History, English, Visual Arts, Science and Technology.

National Capital Exhibition

NCE tells the story of Canberra, Australia's National Capital.

Through the exciting interactive multilingual displays the National Capital Exhibition illustrate's Canberra's role as a symbol of Federation. Discover the people, events, history and design which contributed to the development of this uniquely planned city.

National Portrait Gallery

National Portrait Gallery is also located within Old Parliament House. The National Portrait Gallery programs are designed to meet learning needs of students at all levels of primary and secondary education. It is a rich learning resource for a range of school based study areas including, Arts, History, Society and its environment, Photography, Technology and English. Students develop and understanding of the connections between history, biography and art through the range of programs available.

Ausrtalian Film & Sound Archive

Screensound Australia offers a range of educational presentations to suit all ages. Each 45 minute presentation includes film and sound clips, interactive segments and oppurtunities to ask questions. Film, radio, television and recorded sound are part of our everyday lives. Experience Australia's past and present and glimpse the future through entertaining and informative presentations and exhibitions. Electronic media help define what if means to be Australian, how we see ourselves and how others see us. Give your students a treat and visit Screensound Australia to learn more about our audiovisual heritage.

High Court of Australia

The High Court of Australia is the highest court in the Australian Court System. It interprets and applies laws of Australia, decides cases of special significance including challenges to the constitutional validity of laws. The High Court is the final court of appeal in Australia. Decisions of the High Court are binding on all other courts in Australia. The building is open to the public for tours, the court usually sits for two weeks each month and sittings are open to the public.

Royal Australian Mint

Minting is a facinating process the machinery the noise and the speed at which it all happens can keep visitors glued to observation window for longer than they realise. They can also examine rare and unusual coins from the earliest days of Australian Settlement to modern decimal currency. Students also view a DVD presentation explaining the fascinating process of coin production and the history of the mint.

Telstra Tower

The Telstra Tower rises 195 metres above the summit of Black Mt and provides an unsurpassed view of Canberra. The tower is also popular with groups as a night time attraction.

CSIRO Discovery Centre

CSIRO is Australia's largest research organisation. Their Discovery Centre showcases Australian Science and Technology, through interactive exhibits, hands on experiments and role play, students are provided with actual scientific research. Discovery education programs are suitable for upper primary and secondary students and they also run night time programs.

Geoscience Education Centre

The Geoscience Education Centre is part of Geoscience Australia, the nation's leading geoscience research and information facility. Students can expect to explore many aspects of geoscience through hands - on experiments and activities with scientific equipment, computers and first class teaching materials.

Canberra Space Dome and Observatory

The Planetarium is a virtual reality theatre that uses special effects to take you on a cosmic adventure. Experience interplanetary space flight, discover the mysteries of the night sky and learn about the planets of the solar system.

Show's are tailored to educate and entertain and curriculum based primary school shows are available. Planetarium sessions are available day or night rain or shine.The Canberra Observatory features research grade telescopes under domes. Sessions are conducted by experienced astronomers.

National Dinosaur Museum

The National Dinosaur Museum gives students the opportunity to walk amongst the Dinosaurs and unearth the mysteries of the Earth's prehistoric past.

Unique educational guided tours are conducted for school groups of all ages. The many exhibits provide a fun and stimulating learning environment and worksheets are available to compliment each different tour level and curriculum focus.

Cockington Green Gardens

There is a little bit of everything at Cockington Green Gardens, fascinating architecture stunning garden and humourous scenes. Along with the international display helping students understand how culture is expressed through architecture, look out for the new Australian Gold Mining Scenes. Cockington Green Garden is a popular attraction for schools.

National Library of Australia

The National Library is one of Australia's leading research and reference libraries. The library also houses the largest collection in Australia of rare books and books printed before 1800.

Various tours, of one hour duration are offered to groups from upper primary through to senior students and relate to elements of Australian Schools curriculum.

National Gallery of Australia

Discovery tours are led by Voluntary guides and provide primary students with an introduction to the National Collection Discussion tours these tours are tailored to link the gallery visit to classroom studies and curricula across all key learning areas.

The most popular choice for school groups is a 40-60 minute introductory discussion tour of art currently on display. A discussion tour can also take in one or more of the Gallery's special exhibitions and can be tailored to any aspect of the curriculum or class studies.

Popular topics for curriculum discussion tours include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, multiculturalism, the environment gender issues, Asian studies, and the History of Australia. An introductory discussion tour can include practical drawing and materials are provided.

National Archives of Australia

National Archives fantastic collection traces our history from Federation, to the two World Wars, the immigration boom of the 1950's, the Menzies years, right up to Whitlam's time.

Students of all ages enjoy visiting the exhibitions display and galleries and discovering the drama and adventure of Australia's past.

One of the most popular exhibits is Australia's 'Birth Certificate' The Royal commission of Assent signed by Queen Victoria which brought the nation into bein, it is a true national treasure. Teachers guide their students through the exhibitions using support material available online.

Blundell's Cottage

This little stone cottage in the heart of Canberra is a reminder of what existed here before the Natonal Capital was even conceived. Built around 1860 it was home to families of farm workers on the Cambell family's 'Duntroon' estate.

Use the hands on displays to experience the stories of the people that lived there.

National Zoo and Aquarium

Australia's only combined Zoo and Aquarium is set on eight hectares of lakefront 5 minutes from the City Centre.

Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex and Canberra Space Centre

As one of only three tracking stations in the world, the Complex features four radio antennas, including the giant 70 metre steerable antenna the largest in the southern hemisphere, as wellas the historic 'dish' which relayed the first images of man walking on the moon.

Located 45 minutes from Canberra the centre showcases the past, present and future of Australia's involvement in international space exploration.

Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia

The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia is one of the few embassies open to school tours. There are free interactive tours of the Museum and Cultural Centre including activities such as dress ups in traditional Indonesian clothing, performances with traditional shadow puppets and playing on traditional musical instruments.

Students can also discover Indonesian life today as they explore a teenagers bedroom, experience food stalls and listen to Indonesian Popular music.

Australian National Botanical Gardens

Set in native bushland on the lower slopes of Black Mountain the Gardens offer a natural learning experience across the curriculum programs for all year levels. Investigate the adaptation of Australian plants, discover amazing relationships between our native flora and fauna, learn about Aboriginal use of native plants visit the rainforest and the Mallee. Teacher and student resource materials are provided for all explainer-lead and self guided programs.

Southern Cross Cruises

Lake Burley Griffin has on its foreshores a range of attactions that in term of architectural cultural and National significance are unequalled by any comparable area in Australia.

Sit back and relax and enjoy the magnificent views through large panoramic windows in air - conditioned comfort.

The interesting and informative commentary provides and insight into the history, culture and ecology of the National Capital.