Teacher Resources
Western Australian Museum, Perth
The Western Australian Museum, located within the Perth Cultural Centre, gives students the opportunity to view the flora and fauna of the Dampier Archipelago firsthand. The Dampier Marine Gallery gives an overview of the archipelago and its features. The gallery is divided into the five habitat types of the Dampier Archipelago and has examples of the organisms found within each habitat on display. It enables students to develop an understanding of the diversity of marine flora and fauna in the Dampier region.
The gallery also provides a brief introduction into the research initiative between the Western Australian Museum and Woodside Energy Ltd. To find out more visit the Western Australian Museum website at www.museum.wa.gov.au.
The Western Australian Museum also offers a range of educational programs across several disciplines for school groups. Specific to the Dampier Gallery is a program entitled Marine Mysteries. This program is aimed at students in Years 4 – 7 and runs for approximately 90 minutes. Marine Mysteries allows students to explore the Dampier Marine gallery to unlock the mysteries of the sea, touch sponges, coral and starfish, and try their hand at classification. Students also learn about the fundamental role of plankton and sea grass in the aquatic environment. For further information please contact the Western Australian Museum Education and Learning Department on 9427 2792.
The Western Australian Museum also provides the opportunity for school group to loan items such as fauna to support teaching and learning programs. For further information visit the Western Australian Museum website at www.museum.wa.gov.au or contact the loan centre on 9427 2859 or 9427 2792.
Educational Film & Documentary
Two documentaries relating to research in the Dampier Archipelago, undertaken by the Western Australian Museum, are available on one dvd for purchase through the Museum Shop. The dvd contains, ‘Our Backyard’ (Duration 31:31) an educational film designed for school students and presented by two students from the area. The second documentary, titled, ‘Life on the Edge: Down Under’ (Duration: 47:41) is for general viewing. The two documentaries give a fascinating account of the marine life and habitats of the Dampier Archipelago and methods used by researchers. Each documentary is accompanied by a Teacher Resource Package which is a valuable teaching aid providing direction for further assignment research and incorporates a list of additional resources, dvds, exhibitions, websites and books.
The Teachers Resource Package is downloadable in pdf format from the following links:
