Studying the Past

Museums Victoria’s scientists actively care for the museum's collections and discover new species of animals, to help us understand and protect the natural world.

Through watching these videos and taking part in classroom discussion, students will learn about the nature of science, including the role of museum scientists in developing new scientific knowledge, as well as preserving the past to make decisions and solve problems today.

In this activity students will

• Watch two videos about scientists at Museums Victoria conducting scientific research.
• Explore how scientific knowledge changes over time, often as a result of collaboration and building on the work of others. This leads to advances in science.
• Discuss how scientific knowledge, skills and data can be used to identify problems, consider responses and make decisions.

Suggested questions to engage students

• Why is important to preserve and exhibit extinct animals?
• Can studying extinct animals help us to protect animals that are endangered today?
• How do scientists collect and preserve animal specimens?  

What to do

Watch the videos below with your students:

Last of their kind

Caving for an ancient kangaroo

As a class discuss what you have learned by watching the two videos. 

Both videos show museum scientists preserving and researching extinct animals. You make like to pose the following questions:

• What techniques did you see Dr Tim use to collect the extinct Kangaroo?
• What scientific techniques did you see Dr Kate and Dr Karen use to preserve the Thylacine (also called Tasmanian Tiger)?
• Why do you think were they using different techniques?

Sadly, the Thylacine was hunted to extinction. Why is it important to preserve and exhibit Thylacines today? Can studying extinct animals help us to protect animals that are endangered today?