Stories in the Stars
Explore constellations through stories told by the Boorong people of north-west Victoria.
Follow a First Peoples family as they explore the land around Lake Tyrell, telling stories in the stars, connected to land and knowledge. This Planetarium show ties into the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures cross-curriculum priority, as well as the science and history curriculums.
It’s an opportunity for students to explore more local constellations in the night sky, and to develop a deeper understanding of Australian First Nations culture.
Students will experience
- A Planetarium film with fulldome projection and reclining seats.
- Discovering astronomical knowledge of the Boorong people of northwest Victoria and connecting constellations and stars to behaviour of animals on the ground.
- Seeing the constellations of the night sky as they appear in the Southern Hemisphere.
- A First Peoples family exploring the land around Lake Tyrell and the connection to the night sky, while passing on knowledge from one generation to the next generation.
- A 10-minute live guided tour of the night sky.
Students will learn
- For hundreds of thousands of years, First Peoples Australians have lived under the southern night sky, and have identified properties of the stars.
- The stories of the stars told by First Nations people are connected to culture.
- The night sky teaches knowledge of stars and the planets, the land, the activities of animals and plants throughout the year, the right way to do things, healing and First Nations law.
Related links
- Stories in the stars
- Teacher notes for Stories in the Stars| 727.63 KB .pdf file
- Bunjilaka
- Planetarium
Availability
Terms 1–4, Monday to Friday
Duration: 45 minutes
Student information
Years 5 to 10
Minimum 15 students
Maximum 150 students
Bookings
Planetarium
Screening with presenter led tour of the night sky
Victorian Curriculum Links
Science: Levels 5 and 6
Nature and development of science
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scientific knowledge changes over time, often resulting from collaboration or by building on the work of others, and leads to advances in science (VC2S6H01)
History: Levels 7 and 8
Investigation: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' knowledge and understandings (Deep Time to the modern era)
- the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ knowledge and understanding of the creation of Country and Place and people in oral accounts, stories and artworks (VC2HH8K06)
- the features and structures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and their continuity and change over time, such as connection to Country and Place, spirituality and kinship systems (VC2HH8K08)
Science: Levels 7 and 8
Nature and development of science
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multidisciplinary endeavours to advance scientific knowledge make use of people’s different perspectives and worldviews (VC2S8H02)
History Levels 9 and 10
Historical Knowledge and Understanding
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ knowledge and understandings that shaped the relationship between Country and Place, communities and cultural practices during the 18th and early 19th centuries VC2HH10K07
Science Levels 9 and 10
Science as a Human Endeavour
- scientific knowledge may be interpreted in different ways by individuals and groups in society; the values and needs of society can influence the focus of scientific research VC2S10H04
Country and Place
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of Australia maintain a deep connection to, and responsibility for, Country and Place and have holistic values and belief systems that are connected to the land, sea, sky and waterways. (VC2CCPACP1)
Culture
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ ways of life reflect unique ways of being, knowing, thinking and doing. (VC2CCPAC2)
Accessibility
Please view our accessibility page for general information. Contact our team on 13 11 02 or email us at [email protected] to discuss how we can support your visit.
Museums Victoria Learning Access Fund
The Museums Victoria Learning Access Fund aims to enhance access to our museums (Melbourne Museum, Scienceworks and Immigration Museum), programs and events by offering free or subsidised education programs for eligible schools. Find out more about the fund.
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