Guardians of Country: Citizen Science in Action

Learning Areas

Science | Visual Arts | Digital Technologies

In this unit

Students explore Gunaikurnai stories Legend Rock and Borun and Tuk, investigate local wildlife, learn about First Nations conservation, and take action through citizen science and project-based activities.

This unit includes:

Video

Unit

Teacher Resource

Cultural Protocols

Learning Areas

Science

AC9S5U01
Examine how particular structural features and behaviours of living things enable their survival in specific habitats
AC9S5H01
Examine why advances in science are often the result of collaboration or build on the work of others
AC9S5H02
Investigate how scientific knowledge is used by individuals and communities to identify problems, consider responses and make decisions
AC9S5I01
Pose investigable questions to identify patterns and test relationships and make reasoned predictions
AC9S5I04
Construct and use appropriate representations, including tables, graphs and visual or physical models, to organise and process data and information and describe patterns, trends and relationships
AC9S5I05
Compare methods and findings with those of others, recognise possible sources of error, pose questions for further investigation and select evidence to draw reasoned conclusions
AC9S5I06
Write and create texts to communicate ideas and findings for specific purposes and audiences, including selection of language features, using digital tools as appropriateAC9S6H02
Investigate how scientific knowledge is used by individuals and communities to identify problems, consider responses and make decisions
AC9S6I01
Pose investigable questions to identify patterns and test relationships and make reasoned predictions
AC9S6I04
Construct and use appropriate representations, including tables, graphs and visual or physical models, to organise and process data and information and describe patterns, trends and relationships
AC9S6U01
Investigate the physical conditions of a habitat and analyse how the growth and survival of living things is affected by changing physical conditions

Visual Arts

AC9AVA6E01
Explore ways that visual conventions, visual arts processes and materials are combined to communicate ideas, perspectives and/or meaning in visual arts across cultures, times, places and/or other contexts
AC9AVA6D01
Experiment with, document and reflect on ways to use a range of visual conventions, visual arts processes, and materials
AC9AVA6C01
Use visual conventions, visual arts processes and materials to plan and create artworks that communicate ideas, perspectives and/or meaning

Technologies (Design)

AC9TDE6P01
Investigate needs or opportunities for designing, and the materials, components, tools, equipment and processes needed to create designed solutions
AC9TDE6P02
Generate, iterate and communicate design ideas, decisions and processes using technical terms and graphical representation techniques, including using digital tools
AC9TDE6P03
Select and use suitable materials, components, tools, equipment and techniques to safely make designed solutions
AC9TDE6P04
Negotiate design criteria including sustainability to evaluate design ideas, processes and solutions
AC9TDE6P05
Develop project plans that include consideration of resources to individually and collaboratively make designed solutions

Cross Curriculum Priorities

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures

Country/Place

A_TSICP1
The occupation and colonisation of Australia by the British, under the now overturned doctrine of terra nullius, were experienced by First Nations Australians as an invasion that denied their occupation of, and connection to, Country/Place.
A_TSICP1
First Nations communities of Australia maintain a deep connection to, and responsibility for, Country/Place and have holistic values and belief systems that are connected to the land, sea, sky and waterways.
A_TSICP3
The First Peoples of Australia are the Traditional Owners of Country/Place, protected in Australian Law by the Native Title Act 1993 which recognises pre-existing sovereignty, continuing systems of law and customs, and connection to Country/Place. This recognised legal right provides for economic sustainability and a voice into the development and management of Country/Place.

Culture

A_TSIC1
First Nations Australian societies are diverse and have distinct cultural expressions such as language, customs and beliefs. As First Nations Peoples of Australia, they have the right to maintain, control, protect and develop their cultural expressions, while also maintaining the right to control, protect and develop culture as First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property.
A_TSIC2
First Nations Australians’ ways of life reflect unique ways of being, knowing, thinking and doing.
A_TSIC3
The First Peoples of Australia (Aboriginal Peoples) belong to the world’s oldest continuous cultures. First Nations Australians demonstrate resilience in the maintenance, practice and revitalisation of culture despite the many historic and enduring impacts of colonisation, and continue to celebrate and share the past, present and future manifestations of their cultures.

People

A_TSIP2
First Nations Australians have sophisticated political, economic and social organisation systems, which include family and kinship structures, laws, traditions, customs, land tenure systems, and protocols for strong governance and authority.
A_TSIP3
The significant and ongoing contributions of First Nations Australians and their histories and cultures are acknowledged locally, nationally and globally.

Sustainability

Systems

World Views

Design

SD1
Sustainably designed products, environments and services aim to minimise the impact on or restore the quality and diversity of environmental, social and economic systems.
SD2
Creative and innovative design is integral to the identification of new ways of sustainable living.
SD3
Sustainable design requires an awareness of place, past practices, research and technological developments, and balanced judgements based on projected environmental, social and economic impacts.

Stories of Resilience

Year levels: 9 2 lessons

Students will explore the impact of government policies through the story of Granny Louisa Pepper-Connolly, as told by her great-great-granddaughter Aunty Glenys Watts. They will examine how such policies affected First Nations families, cultures, and communities, and reflect on their strength and perseverance.

View Unit

Gunyurro: Dance as Resistance, Reclamation, and Healing

Year levels: 5-6 2 lessons

Students will explore the significance of "Gunyurro" (Dance) within the Gunaikurnai community. They will learn about the history of imposed colonial laws that restricted First Nations cultural practices, the role of art and dance as forms of resistance and healing, and the importance of cultural reclamation.

View Unit

Seasonal Calendars

Year levels: 5-6 3 lessons

Students explore the Gunaikurnai story Mother Sky to learn about First Nations astronomy, seasonal knowledge, and storytelling. Through film, yarning, art, and coding, they investigate how stars, seasons, and culture are deeply connected, and create their own seasonal calendars inspired by natural cycles.

View Unit

Written in the Stars

Year levels: 3 2 lessons

Students explore the Gunaikurnai Creation story Mother Sky told by Alfie Hudson, learn about First Nations astronomy, identify constellations, and express their understanding through art, worksheets, and a Scratch coding activity.

View Unit

Borun and Tuk

Year levels: 3-4 4 lessons

Students explore the Gunaikurnai Creation story Borun and Tuk told by Hollie Johnson. They investigate local wildlife, and learn about First Nations perspectives on conservation through research, classification, and art.

View Unit

Unit Content

Expand All

Guardians of Country: Citizen Science in Action 3 Lessons

Focus Area Content

0% Complete 0/3 Steps

Guardians of Country – Lesson 1

Guardians of Country – Lesson 2

Guardians of Country – Lesson 3

Guardians of Country: Citizen Science in Action

Learning Areas

In this unit

This unit includes:

Video

Video

Video

Unit

Teacher Resource

Cultural Protocols

Learning Areas

Science

Visual Arts

Technologies (Design)

Cross Curriculum Priorities

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures

Country/Place

Culture

People

Sustainability

Systems

World Views

Design

Unit Content

Gunaikurnai Community

Years 5-6

Science

Visual Arts

Digital Technologies

3 lessons x 60 minutes

Unit Includes

Explore

Login or Subscribe

Contact us

Guardians of Country: Citizen Science in Action

Learning Areas

In this unit

This unit includes:

Video

Video

Video

Unit

Teacher Resource

Cultural Protocols

Learning Areas

Science

Visual Arts

Technologies (Design)

Cross Curriculum Priorities

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures

Country/Place

Culture

People

Sustainability

Systems

World Views

Design

Related Units

Unit Content

Gunaikurnai Community

Years 5-6

Science

Visual Arts

Digital Technologies

3 lessons x 60 minutes

Unit Includes

Explore

Login or Subscribe

Contact us