Museum in a van incursion: Auslan bilingual dinosaurs and fossils

Auslan is Australian Sign Language, the native language of the Australian Deaf community.

Our travelling museum in a van brings rich museum learning experiences to 4-year-old kindergarten groups all over metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Dinosaurs and fossils is currently the only program available. Each session is between 45 minutes and one hour in duration and is for up to 33 children.

Bilingual presentations integrate Auslan signs in the learning program. The programs are delivered by an Auslan presenter in collaboration with an English speaking presenter. Through hands-on exploration, play and Auslan storytelling, children are encouraged to learn basic Auslan signs related to dinosaurs and fossils.

Illustrated print-outs of key signs are available to download below in flashcard, A4 and A3 size.

These sessions are available by request (pending availability of presenters) for all kindergartens including schools for Deaf children. Where possible, priority will be given to kindergartens or schools that have a child/children that require Auslan to access the program.

All face-to-face incursion bookings are subject to coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions and as such are subject to change in line with the Victorian Chief Health Officer’s advice. We will be in contact with all teachers prior to their booked date if we need to clarify any new requirements.

Our booking process for 2022 will be different to previous years to ensure we are confident we have all necessary safety measures in place and the Department of Education and Training (DET) maintains kindergarten incursions are permitted.

Due to increased-safety cleaning measures, the program will likely be in higher demand than places are available. However, we will endeavour to accommodate as many bookings as are safely  possible.

Dinosaurs and Fossils

With the aid of fossils, dinosaur bones, replicas and photographs, we go back in time to reflect on the existence of these ancient animals.

Dinosaurs have long been the subject of fascination for children. Through stories and activities, this program will introduce to children the ways in which palaeontologists have come to understand dinosaurs through finding and studying fossils.

Children will be able to talk about and touch real dinosaur fossils from the Museum Victoria collection, learn about ancient time periods, see life-size replicas of dinosaur skulls, feet and legs, and classify their favourite prehistoric creatures as herbivores or carnivores.

Print-outs of key signs to download

Booking details

$220 (GST inclusive) per session, maximum of 33 participants

Read our booking conditions and cancellation policy before proceeding.