Education kits
Elections
Get our free Elections Education Kit
electionsAustralia is off to the polls. Let’s learn more about how and why we have federal elections
Australia is off to the polls
electionsPART 1: It’s time for a federal election. Learn about why we have elections and what they achieve
Enrol, vote and eat a democracy sausage!
electionsPART 2: Get ready for election day, when Australians exercise their right to vote and politicians eat sausages in bread
Step inside the houses of federal parliament
electionsPART 3: The business of Australia’s parliament takes place in two houses. Learn about what happens there and how parliamentarians represent Australians
Australia’s system of government
electionsPART 4: The Constitution tells us Australia is a representative democracy. We look at what this means and how our system of government compares to others around the world
Inside Australia’s top job
electionsPART 5: We all want to know who will be prime minister after the federal election. Let’s look at how we choose our prime minister
Parties line up in the game of politics
electionsPART 6: Parliament works a bit like a team sport, with teams called parties fighting to win, plus a few extra people called independents
On the election campaign trail
electionsPART 7: Here’s how parties and candidates try to convince people to vote for them
When the PM visits the G-G
electionsPART 8: Learn about the role of the governnor-general – including why the prime minister must visit before an election – and what happens if we become a republic
Welcome to Canberra, home of democracy
electionsPART 9: Australia’s grand national capital city was a compromise that settled an argument between Melbourne and Sydney
Giving
Get our free Giving Education Kit
givingGiving not only benefits those on the receiving end. Let’s learn how charity and generosity can make the world a better place with our new Giving Education Kit
Why giving is good
givingPART 1: Have you heard the saying that it is better to give than receive? It’s true in so many ways. Find out why we all win when we give
Generous Aussies give for a better world
givingPART 2: Australians are a generous bunch. Most of us are happy to give a little to improve the lives of others. Find out how much we give
Some of world’s richest are also biggest givers
givingPART 3: Philanthropists want to make the world a better place – and they’re prepared to put their money behind their vision
The worthy causes we support at home
givingPART 4: Australians give their time and money to a variety of worthy causes. Let’s find out who is helping who in our own backyard
Never too young to get into giving
givingPART 5: You don’t have to be a grown up to help others. There are lots of ways kids can become great givers. Find out how
Join Australia’s army of volunteers
givingPART 6: There’s more to giving than money and goods. Your time can be just as – if not more – valuable
The Aussie charities and events we get behind
givingPART 7: Australians love to get behind a good cause. Let’s look at some of the charities and events we support
Brave Isla is proof of the good giving can do
givingPART 8: Isla Magann, 8, is cancer free and thriving thanks to the Royal Children’s Hospital and generous supporters of the Good Friday Appeal
Giving in the digital era
givingPART 9: You can still drop a handful of coins or notes in an old fashioned donation tin but charities are increasingly going digital to raise funds
Climate Change
Understanding climate change
climate changePART 1: People talk about climate change a lot. It’s good to know what it is and why it’s a big issue
How climate change affects Australia
climate changePART 2: Just like other places in the world, Australia is counting the cost of climate change. Bushfires, droughts, floods and coral bleaching on the Barrier Reef are all part of the toll
Meet the greenhouse gas makers
climate changePART 3: Human activity is warming our planet. We look at where greenhouse gases come from and which countries are the biggest emitters
How the world is working as one
climate changePART 4: The Paris Agreement was a turning point in bringing countries together to fight climate change. How we’re doing will be in the spotlight at a conference in Glasgow in November
Australia’s climate plans and promises
climate changePART 5: As a party to the Paris Agreement, Australia has agreed to join the fight against climate change. But just how are we doing?
Towards net zero 2050
climate changePART 6: Fixing climate change might not be as simple as doing better in the future. We also need to repair the damage we’ve already done. This is what achieving net zero 2050 is all about
How to tackle the climate challenge
climate changePART 7: Cutting greenhouse gas emissions is key to tackling climate change. While this requires some big solutions, there are many little changes we can all be making
How kids can make a difference
climate changePART 8: Young people are making a big difference when it comes to tackling climate change. You can too. Here’s how
When nature plays a part
climate changePART 9: Did you know that Earth has experienced at least five major ice ages? Climate change isn’t only caused by humans, it occurs naturally too. Let’s look at some of the natural causes
How to cope with climate worries
climate changePART 10: Climate change can be a pretty scary topic. It’s understandable that kids might feel worried. But three are tools and strategies that can help you cope with climate concerns
Olympics
Ancient Games sparked the Olympic tradition
olympicsPART 1: The modern Olympic Games have been around for 125 years, but you have to look back much further than that to understand how the Olympic tradition began
How modern Games became biggest show on earth
olympicsPART 2: What started as one man’s idea to encourage world peace is now the biggest sports event on the planet. Let’s take a look at the history of the modern Olympic Games as we gear up for Tokyo
Friendship, respect and excellence drive the Games
olympicsPART 3: The founder of the modern Olympic Games, Pierre de Coubertin, believed sport could bring people together and help them excel. These values are still at the core of the Games today
Follow the fascinating trail of the Olympic torch through time
olympicsPART 4: The Olympic flame continues its journey as one of humanity’s most uniting and symbolic sparks in the modern era
Olympic medals go green in Tokyo
olympicsPART 5: The Tokyo Games are the first where the gold, silver and bronze medals are also green, having been made entirely from recycled metals
Meet mascots Miraitowa and Someity
olympicsPART 6: Two stars of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics won’t be going for gold but they do have superpowers! We look at Olympic mascots and emblems
Olympics host nation in profile – hello, Japan!
olympicsPART 7: One of the most exciting parts of any Olympics is discovering more about the host city and wider country – welcome to Tokyo, Japan!
Australia’s Olympic Games leave their mark
olympicsPART 8: We’ve been lucky enough to host two Olympic Games, with the 1956 Melbourne Games and the 2000 Sydney Games both playing an important role in Olympic history
Celebrating Australia’s Olympic heroes
olympicsPART 9: Australia has produced many Olympic heroes, from our first Olympian Edwin Flack to five times gold medallist Ian Thorpe
The sports set to light up Tokyo
olympicsPART 10: The Tokyo Games will feature 339 events across 33 sports – and a pictogram to go with each one
How the Paralympics became a world sporting spectacular
olympicsPART 11: What started as a way for injured World War II veterans to rehabilitate has grown into one of the world’s biggest sporting events. Learn more about the Paralympics
Cool facts about the Winter Olympics
olympicsPART 12: Australia’s Winter Olympics history might not have the same golden glow as our Summer Games’ record, but it has still provided some really cool highs
50 fun activities on the history of Christmas
christmasOur feature series and 50-activity workbook will help students understand the history and evolution of Christmas, the religious and cultural aspects of its celebration and how traditions vary across the world
‘Tis the season for customs and traditions
christmasPART 1: It’s an exciting time of year — school’s almost over, holidays are about to begin and kids around the world are preparing to celebrate Christmas or other cultural festivals
The history behind our decorations
christmasPART 2: The reasons why we hang tinsel, stars and baubles on our trees at Christmas stem back hundreds of years. Discover the stories behind our favourite decorations, characters and traditions
Festive foods and where they come from
christmasPART 3: Ham, plum pudding and prawns on the BBQ are all traditional Christmas foods in Australia, but how did these festive delicacies originally make their way to the Christmas table?
Interesting tales behind our popular carols
christmasPART 4: Do you hear what I hear? It’s the sounds of Christmas in song. There are many interesting stories behind some of our most popular carols — one is even written in code!
Santa films you can watch over and over
christmasPART: 5: Here’s our guide to the best Christmas movies for children. But watch out, their storylines offer a mix of laughs, wishes, hope and most feature the jolly man in the red suit
How to have a greener and cleaner Christmas
christmasPART 6: This time of year shouldn't be about buying things we don’t need and sending rubbish and unwanted gifts to landfill. Here are 10 tips on how to have a sustainable Christmas
Anyway you say it, it’s a merry greeting
christmasPART 7: Learn how to say Merry Christmas in 20 different languages and discover 10 amazing festive facts and some of the strangest yuletide world records
How to purchase the moon landing inquiry kit
moon-landingIt is 50 years since Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first men to walk on the moon. Learn all about this historic event and the space race in our digital inquiry kit
The moon, its history, and impact on our lives
moon-landingThe moon is our nearest neighbour in space. We look at its birth, its surface, its history, its eight phases and how it has helped keep our daily lives on track since ancient times
Early space exploration and the race to be first
moon-landingIn the early days of space exploration, the US and Russia sent rockets, animals and finally humans into the great unknown of our universe in the search for answers about what exists out there
Three ordinary men who made extraordinary history
moon-landingThe trio that led the Apollo 11 mission were Neil Armstrong, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin and Michael Collins — three brave astronauts willing to risk their lives for space exploration
Weird and wacky training to mimic the lunar conditions
moon-landingThe astronauts were prepared to handle any problem imaginable on their moon mission. But trying to find ways to copy conditions on the lunar surface meant using some strange training techniques
Inside the powerful Saturn V rocket and Apollo 11
moon-landingNASA built a special-purpose rocket called Saturn V to launch man into orbit and walk on the moon. It was the most powerful of its kind ever built. We take a look at all its components
Liftoff! Life on-board the journey to the moon
moon-landingIt took three days for Apollo 11 to reach the moon. There wasn’t much to do in the tiny module apart from eating rehydrated food, exercising and keeping the ship running smoothly
The Eagle has landed … and man walks on the moon
moon-landingOne of the greatest feats in history was realised when Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon and uttered the famous words: ‘That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.’
The Aussies, the Dish and a TV world-first
moon-landingAustralia played an unexpected important role in the moon landing by broadcasting the historic moonwalk to more than 650 million people across the world
Conspiracy theories suggest the landing was a fake
moon-landingConspiracy theories that NASA faked landing on the moon have been popular since 1969. We look at some of the arguments and what the Americans say about them
Space race to return to the moon is heating up
moon-landingIt’s been more than 40 years since man last stepped on the moon after the high cost of space travel took its toll. But now several companies are racing to take humans back to the lunar surface
How to purchase the Greek Myths inquiry kit
greek-myths-and-legendsGreek Mythology captures the stories of gods, heroes, and rituals of the ancient Greeks with many aspects still relevant today in modern life. Purchase our inquiry kit today
What is Greek Mythology?
greek myths and legendsGreek Mythology is a series of epic tales of bravery, battles, monsters and love told by Ancient Greeks to their families over many generations to help them understand the world around them
The 12 Olympians and Zeus, the King of Gods
greek myths and legendsThe 12 Gods and Goddesses who lived on Mt Olympus ruled every aspect of human life and were respected by Ancient Greeks. The king of all these Gods was Zeus
Five Greek Goddesses of Mt Olympus
greek myths and legendsStrong, beautiful, powerful and talented, these are the five Goddesses who helped make up the 12 Olympians in Greek Mythology
A time of heroes and brave warriors
greek myths and legendsHeroes in Greek Mythology were men and women of special strength, courage and abilities. Upon completing their tasks they were made immortal by the Gods to honour their bravery
Villainous characters and tales with a twist
greek myths and legendsEvil and nastiness lurked in many places throughout Greek Mythology and has been the basis for many famous stories of ancient times. From murderous mums, selfish men and curious humans, these tales have storylines we can all learn from
Monsters, animals and the beautiful Sirens
greek myths and legendsMonsters, animals and weird creatures were everywhere in the tales of Greek Mythology. Some like Pegasus the winged horse were kind, while others looked beautiful but were very deadly
How mythology still influences modern life
greek myths and legendsFrom the Olympic Games to the star signs we are born under and the brands we wear when we play sport, Greek Mythology continues to have a huge impact on our modern lives
Recycling education kit sales
recyclingTeach students why it’s important to be part of the waste solution rather than the problem. Recycling kit includes 25-activity classroom workbook for $20.
Why we need to talk about waste and recycling
recyclingPART ONE: There’s a lot of waste around, but it’s important to understand whether that’s a problem. We look at why we need to reduce waste and why recycling is a big part of the solution
Learn the three Rs for a simple waste solution
recyclingPART TWO: Helping keep the earth clean is as easy as learning the three Rs ... reduce, reuse and recycle. That way you’ll do your bit for the environment and you’ll save money, too
Australian recycling — then and now
recyclingPART THREE: Australia has a long history of recycling and we’re very good at putting things in the recycling bin, but there is plenty more we can do to be even better
Recyclables from the bin back to you brand new
recyclingPART FOUR: Putting recyclables into a big bin and watching a recycling truck drive away isn’t the end of it. Follow your recycling from the bin to back out into the market as a new item
Comparing Australian recycling to the rest of the world
recyclingPART FIVE: Being the best recycling country in the world is a great goal to aim for. Australia has plenty to be proud of, but there’s still lots we can improve
You can be a great recycler
recyclingPART SIX: Follow our guide on how to be a good recycler to make sure nothing you throw out ends up in landfill or the ocean. You’re on your way to being a fantastic recycler
Close the recycling loop: buy it back
recyclingPART SEVEN: Being a good recycler is about more than putting everything you can into the recycling bin. To be a really good recycler, choose products made out of recycled materials
How to order your Gold Rush kit
gold rushThe discovery of gold in Australia began one of the most significant periods in our history. This kit explores the history of the Gold Rush and its impact on our nation both then and now
Gold finds kept secret before the Rush
gold rushHISTORY OF THE GOLD RUSH: Many people found gold long before the Australian Gold Rush. But they were all sworn to secrecy. Eventually, word got out and the Rush began
The ever-changing world in the 1850s
gold rushHISTORY OF THE GOLD RUSH: Australia’s Gold Rush came during an era of great change around the world and many people were ready for a big adventure
And just like that, the Rush is on!
gold rushHISTORY OF THE GOLD RUSH: The government held back a Gold Rush for years, but once the secret was out, unimaginable wealth came out of the ground, changing Australia forever
Rough journey to the goldfields
gold rushLIFE AS A MINER: News of the Australian Gold Rush spread quickly around the world. But the journey for those who dreamt of striking it rich was slow, uncomfortable and dangerous
The hard task of finding gold
gold rushLIFE AS A MINER: There are stories of miners tripping over nuggets of gold. Yes, really! But most people had to work much, much harder to find their fortune
A big multicultural melting pot
gold rushLIFE AS A MINER: People came from across the world to find their fortune. The mix of cultures made the goldfields an exciting place, but also a difficult place for some
Making money without mining for gold
gold rushGOLDFIELD JOBS: Butcher, bakers, candlemakers and every kind of shopkeeper you can imagine flourished on the goldfields while miners had money to spend.
Miracle cures and other crazy ideas
gold rushGOLDFIELDS JOBS: You have a broken arm, sir? I'll put a leech on your leg to draw out the pain. If you think that’s crazy, you haven’t been to a Gold Rush medical 'expert'
Stop right there and give us all your gold!
gold rushGOLDFIELDS JOBS: Who would be a policeman when you could find your fortune in gold? And who’d want to mine when you could steal from others? The goldfields could be lawless places
Nothing fancy but it’s home sweet home
gold rushFAMILY AND HOME LIFE: Goldfields families lived in tents or rough huts made with whatever they could find but wore fancy and unsuitable clothing.
Growing up in a golden time
gold rushFAMILY AND HOME LIFE: Children worked hard and didn’t often go to school. But playtime was fun and if you spent your spare time mining, you could even find some gold
Growing unrest on the goldfields
gold rushEUREKA STOCKADE: Miners were so unhappy with how they were being treated by the government and police they began to organise themselves for a big battle
Raise the flag and let the battle begin
gold rushEUREKA STOCKADE: The miners may have lost the battle, but their fight led to big changes in the future
Lalor leads the miners to fight for their rights
gold rushEUREKA STOCKADE: Irishman Peter Lalor's name is one of the most significant of the Gold Rush because of all he achieved as the leader of working people
Australia, world’s oldest democracy
gold rushLEGACY: The right to a safe, secret vote to elect politicians was a fine result of the Gold Rush, though it took many years for all Australians to have equal democratic rights