CMIS Evaluation

The Northbridge History Project was begun in 2007 with a view to recording the stories and growth of the area since the colonisation of Perth in 1829.

Since its inception many people and different agencies have cooperated to bring together the hidden stories of this historic area of Perth city. Every year a special day is set aside to bring together some of the interest groups to pool their collective knowledge and to ensure that following generations are made aware of the special place Northbridge has in the State’s History.  To be part of the 2010 Studies Day,  interested people can register by emailing the project.  Often students have availed themselves of the opportunity to be part of the Research Team to discover the colourful past of Northbridge.

“Northbridge is a fascinating and complex area, originally part of an interconnected freshwater lake system occupied by the Nyoongar people.  Through repeated waves of migration, nearly fifty different nationalities and ethnic groups have called the area ‘home’ at one time or another.”

Recently the project launched a set of Curriculum Materials for students in years 8 to 11 Local History Studies. These are currently available on CD and the Project management is keen to send them out to schools. As well as the CD and the main website,  WA DET teachers  can access related Curriculum Resources in the K10 Syllabus through the portal. The Northbridge History Project is an excellent way to study local history.

For other Local History the CMIS Theme page – Western Australia has some good starting points.

Yes it’s here already! What a great way to combine two big scientific anniversaries -  Darwin’s 200 Years and 400 years of Galileo’s telescope.

We blogged both earlier in this year- Charles Darwin and Galileo and IYA 2009 

With 2009 being the International year of Astronomy the Big Aussie Star Hunt is an ideal way to celebrate the event. It features a virtual tour and Indigenous Astronomy. There is also a Teacher Info section.

More activities are available on the National Science Week website including HELLO from Earth. This site is collecting messages that will be sent to Gliese 581d, a planet outside our Solar System which may support life. Register on the site to send your message before the deadline: 5pm Monday 24 August 2009 Sydney time (07:00 GMT Monday 24 August 2009)

The ScienceNetworkWA has a myriad of events in different locations around the state. Check out where in the FLYER 
and the special SCHOOLS section of the website.

For further Scientific ideas check out the CMIS Website Themes page for suitable topics.

For the children at your school who can’t get enough of the continuing adventures of the Samurai Kids the series  web space will help pass the time as they await the newest book.  There are lots of activities for teachers to use in the classroom and students to access for fun, such as the “Samurai Kids” Forum and quizzes.

The Teacher Resources include a newsletter, a one act play and classroom ideas sheet to use with the books. The first two books were on the 2009 Primary Focus list. Information about these books can be found at the following links on the CMIS Resource Bank –
White Crane and Owl Ninja