Year 8 First Nation Australia Phenomena Science Exhibition

The Year 8 classes developed an exhibition to highlight and celebrate the knowledge, understanding, and perspectives held by First Nations Australians on natural phenomena and link these to their own understanding of the Science behind these phenomena. For this exhibition, their groups created one display for the exhibition in the form of a diorama and/or poster.

The exhibition showcased concepts, ideas, inventions, and applications of Science by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia that represent a rich and enduring tradition of empirical knowledge and environmental stewardship, offering insights that are both ancient and remarkably relevant today.

Over the last couple of weeks, the Year 8 students have conducted research into their topic and worked collaboratively to prepare displays to present their findings.

The first topic was about the various materials and techniques used to construct Indigenous shelters, where they collect or how they made the materials, and if the materials were natural.

On the topic of the various types of Noongar shelters, the students expanded on the materials collected for the shelters, how they adapted in different environments, the capacity of the shelters, and the variety of uses that these shelters provided.

The students also researched on the Miro or Woomera (spear thrower) that were used in the past, which included on an elaboration on what it is and what uses they served, the physic principles involved in a Miro/Woomera, what the advantages the Miro/Woomera had, and how the spear thrower can give the spear a greater velocity.

The fourth topic elaborated on the six Noongar Seasons, which are Birak, Bunuru, Djeran, Mukaru, Djilba, and Kambarang.

On the topic of the Australian Aboriginal Boomerang, the students expanded on what a boomerang was, what they were made of, and the science behind them and why they curve into and ellipse and return to where they were thrown from.

Fire-Stick Farming was also a topic that the students addressed on, where they explained about what it was and what it was used for.

The seventh topic expanded on methods of detoxifying that were used by the First Nation Australians, where they approached the topic by identifying what a Cycad is and its origins, why they needed to detoxify them and the methods that were used.

Students who were assigned the topic on the Brewarrina Fish Traps told the story about the Ngiyampaa people who crafted the fish traps and how they fished according to the seasonal water changes.

We were also transported back in time and explored the stars while the students explored how the Indigenous Australians used astronomy to navigate timekeeping while providing a way to travel distances.

Some students also explored the various bush medicines that were used, which included Eucalyptus, the Golden Wattle, Tea Tree, and various other plants.

The last topic featured various exhibits on how the First Nation Australians purified water in arid regions.

The exhibition featured many interesting and well-crafted dioramas and plenty of research that were comprehensive and thorough. Well done to the Year 8 Science students for their hard work on their final summative assignment

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