A History of the World in 100 Objects

Today we caught the "A History of the World in 100 Objects" exhibition at the Perth Western Australia Museum before the site closes for 4 years for refurbishment. Other sites of the museum remain open. We got in free which was great. The museum was very crowded because of the free entry but this worked in our favour. The children were very engaged with the exhibition because they were forced to slow down by the crowds and this really gave time to focus.

One of our favourite objects was this lyre inlaid with precious stones.

It was great to discover that the children remembered history "lessons" from a few years ago and related them to the exhibition.

This metal hand was interesting. It appears to have a broken finger and unusual nails so was probably cast from a real person.

This small seat was used by the tribal leader whilst in a drug induced communication with the spirits.

Wood cut

It was fun to try to work out what things were or what they could be used for before reading the label. We thought this could be a giant gold guitar or a huge key! It's really a standard for carrying in ceremonial parades.

We discussed how the labels could help us find out more or draw our attention to details we hadn't noticed. The label for this object explained that the sculpture was made from decommissioned weapons from a war.

Part of the aim of visiting the exhibition was to see how objects are displayed by museums so we can work on our own museum. The kids came up with a great plan to start this project by building a museum in Minecraft complete with cabinets, objects and labels.

Check back soon to see what we make.

Gravity Discovery Centre

Yesterday we went for a tour around The Gravity Discovery Centre and Leaning Tower of Gingin. Our fabulous guide George really knew his stuff. We found out loads of interesting facts about space and had a go with the experiments. R got up 2.1G in the space rocket. The highlight was climbing the leaning tower and dropping a water balloon to Earth to make a crater.

At the top of the tower

Investigating plasma

Firing a smoke ring at L

Finding out about waves

Aboriginal interpretation of life on other planets

The children also used the microscopes to examine local wildlife.

Down on the Farm

We recently camped on a farm property near Gingin. The children had a great time with the camp-fire and feeding the cows and sheep.

There is even a family grave in the middle of the camping area.

In the evening we went to the Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory for telescope viewing. No pictures of that of course as it was dark! Here's Saturn through the telescope though.

We wandered around Gingin; had a look at the old station and waterwheel before heading into the churchyard where the children were interested in whole families that had died at the same time and the reasons why this might have been. We took the nature trail through the paper-bark trees where we saw some amazing fungi.

String Pictures

By L

We joined our friends for an amazing free workshop at Bunnings to make these string pictures. 20 children hammering in nails at once; it was LOUD!

By R

Lane Poole Camping

Despite the fact that it is now winter here in Australia we couldn't resist a camping trip with some friends to Lane Poole Reserve. The kids were even crazy enough to get into the river.

Digging for mushrooms

Mud fight

Outdoor meditation

We found this amazing natural fairy door in the tree. The girls gave the faeries some fences and decorations.