Excursions
What better way to motivate your class
than bringing them on an educational excursion to the
Army Museum of South Australia
Why not call in to see what the Museum has to offer.
The Museum is open every Sunday from 12 noon to 4 p.m.
Alternatively you could arrange a visit to speak with on of our staff and have a guided tour of the Museum
Museum Manager
Major Barry Willoughby
CSM RFD
8305 6055 or
0438 195 847
Curator - Warrant Officer Clive Thompson
8305 6096
Curator:
Allen Puttock
(08)
8305 6096 or 0414 869 939
Bookings can be made by contacting:
Museum office: (08) 8305 6374
Call any Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday during office hours. If the office is temporarily unattended leave a message on the answering machine and they will get back to you.
When booking your tour you can specify particular needs/topics you would like emphasized to meet the particular curriculum strand you are covering.
Planning Your Visit
To gain the most benefit from your class visit some suggested activities are listed below for you consideration
Other ideas can be obtained by going directly to the links
Prior to your visit
a
few suggestions
Teachers
- Visit your school Resource Centre: Ask your librarian about kits/pictures/books and other reference material that is available.
- Check out our Resources for Schools section to find out what resources are available through the internet.
- Ascertain if there is a local war memorial near your school? Are there and student’s families represented on it.
- Ask your students if any have family members who have served in a conflict?
- Check the Australian War Memorial website and download that persons documentation.
- Ask your students to bring any military memorabilia to school to share with the class?
- Prepare a student work sheet to meet the needs of your visit or down load one of the work sheets on this website [See our section Resources for Schools].
- Have students prepare a list of questions they would like answered by the tour leader. Please advise the tour leader of the questions prior to your visit so that they can ensure the accuracy and depth of response required.
- Discuss special days/ceremonies e.g. Anzac Day and Remembrance Day with your class.
- Prepare blank maps of the world for students to use during your visit.
During your visit
Students
- Bring: a clip board, pen, work sheet, blank maps of the world [to mark in the places represented by the displays] and an atlas to find out where places are that are referred to by the tour leaders..
- Make brief notes.
- Ask questions.
- Complete your questionnaire.
- Note the differences in clothing and equipment
- Teachers
- Note specifically South Australian individual service personnel/units mentioned.
- Note student questions to follow up when back at school.
After your visit
a
few suggestions for follow up activities
- On a map of the world research all the locations where Australians have fought.
- Research a family members’ service or the service of a name on your local war memorial.
- Technology and War: What technological invention resulted from WW1 and what use were they put to after the war [e.g. wrist watch, aerial photography?
- Compare and contrast the technological advances that have changed how war is fought [c.f. WW1 v’s Vietnam]. How have changes in communication influenced the conduct of war?
- Social change: Research changes that have evolved as a result of wars [e.g. the changing role of woman in the work force, inventions that have changed our lives].
- Battle Conditions: Compare and contrast the various conditions under which battles have been fought [e.g. desert warfare, jungle warfare, urban warfare, changes in the seasons, changes in technology.
- Create a display relating to your visit to share with the rest of your school. This could involve pictures, maps, facts, 3D models/dioramas, etc.
- Design a recruitment/propaganda poster.
- Defence of South Australia before federation: Research Fort Largs, Fort Glanville, Fort Glenelg, Military Road, HMCS Protector, Torpedo station, Militia forces, defence forces in country regions, Defence Acts of parliament, etc. What were the perceived threats to the colony of South Australia?
- National Service: Why was it introduced? How has it changed over our history?
- Citizen Soldiers: Research the defence of Australia between and during times of conflict.
- Compare and contrast the differences of a “Citizen” v’s “Permanent” army in Australia’s history. When was Australia’s first “Standing Army” established, and why?
- Cadets: Research School Cadets/Regional cadets. Why did the system start and what brought about the changes that were made?
- Research the changing role of woman in war.
- Medals: Military Decorations and awards, campaign medals and long service awards; what is there significance.
- The Home Front: What were the effects of war on the people in Australia: wifes, husbands, mothers, fathers, children, the local community?
- Defence industry: What defence industries were established in South Australia.
- Prisoners of War: Compare and contrast the lives of PW’s in Europe compared with SE Asia?
- Patriotism: Why did so many men and woman volunteer to serve their country, empire, commonwealth.
- Why go to War: Consider the reasons for Australia’s involvement in the Boer War, WW1, WW2, Korean War, Vietnan War, Peace Keeping Operations.
- Mainland Australia: How has our isolated country been touched by war?
- Commemoration: How do we commemorate the sacrifices made?
- Propaganda: What was involved? How was it used?
For information regarding any of these examples please do not hesitate to contact the staff of our
“Archives and Research Centre”
(08) 8305 6705 Monday [afternoons/evenings] or Wednesday.