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?
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
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 of 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
