Background

For tens of thousands of years, indigenous people had no access to shops so everything they needed was acquired from their environment, from food to tools and clothing. A great deal of time was taken gathering indigenous plants and preparing food and tools for their use. Learning to use resources sustainably was imperative for their survival.

Prior Knowledge

No prior knowledge is required. This can be a pre-visit, post-visit or a stand-alone activity.

Key Learning Question

How did Australia’s indigenous people use items found in their environment to live and survive?

Learning Intentions

In this program students will:

• Compare everyday items that we use to those used by indigenous people
• Understand that everything needed by the indigenous people was provided for them by the environment in which they lived

Activities

Students will:

• Match items we use every day with those collected from the environment by indigenous people for the same use
• Grind wattle seeds to make flour
• Use poa grass to make string

Victorian Curriculum

Science:Science as a human endeavour

• Science knowledge helps people to understand the effects of their actions (VCSSU056)

Science: Chemical sciences

• Natural and processed materials have a range of physical properties; these properties can influence their use (VCSSU060)

Design and technologies: Food and fibre production

• Investigate food and fibre production used in modern or traditional societies (VCDSTC025)

Design and technologies: Materials and technologies specialisations

• Investigate the suitability of materials, systems, components, tools and equipment for a range of purposes (VCDSTC027)

Geography:Design and significance of places and environments

• The many Countries/Places of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout Australia, and the custodial responsibility they have for Country/Place, and how this influences views about sustainability (VCGGK080)

Learning Continuum

Outreach programs are conducted by an Ecolinc education officer at your school. They are available to moderately disadvantaged primary schools in the Geelong, Ballarat and western suburbs areas (or within 100km radius from Bacchus Marsh).