Welcome to education at the Gold Museum, your window to over 150,000 items of cultural and historical significance that tell a wide variety of stories from ancient history to today, with a special emphasis on the goldfields and colonial history in our region.
Our programs are curriculum linked across year levels and can provide unique opportunities to access material not on public display, the opportunity to learn about care and management of cultural material, and the history and ethics of its collection. We are also happy to work with you to tailor an education experience for your students.
To discuss a program at the Gold Museum please contact the Education Officer on 03 5329 2338 or email goldmuseum@sovereignhill.com.au
Bookings are essential for all activities.
Sovereign Hill Education Bookings:
P: 03 5337 1188
E: education@sovereignhill.com.au
Primary Students
Program Title:
That’s My Gold!
Year Level:
3 - 6
Maximum Group Size:
50 (2 classes)
Program Length:
60 minutes
Program Cost:
$2 / student
Program Description:
Through an interactive story of gold fever and piracy, students will explore different types of historical sources (primary and secondary) and learn how we use historical sources to understand the past.
Curriculum Keywords:
History, Geology
Program Title:
Sketchbook Study: The Art of ST Gill
Year Level:
5 / 6
Maximum Group Size:
25 (1 class)
Program Length:
60 minutes
Program Cost:
$2 / student
Program Description:
Come on an interactive tour of the Museum’s collection of ST Gill artworks and produce your own ‘sketchbook’ of responses along the way. Known as ‘the artist of the goldfields’, Gill was one of the best known and most popular colonial artists. How was the environment changing with colonisation and goldfields activity? What do his artworks show us about attitudes to women, children and other cultures?
Curriculum Keywords:
History, Visual Art
Secondary Students
Program Title:
Collection Close-Up: The Pern Collection
Year Level:
7 - 10
Maximum Group Size:
25 (1 class, 2 groups)
Program Length:
60 minutes
Program Cost:
$5 / student affiliate schools
$13 / student non-affiliate schools
Program Description:
Meet a museum professional and go behind-the-scenes with Dr Sidney Pern’s large collection of Indigenous artefacts from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and the Pacific Islands. Explore questions of collection management, ethics and ownership.
Curriculum Keywords:
Colonial history, Aboriginal history, Ancient Australia, Ethics, Careers
Program Title:
NEW Collection Close-Up: The Chinese Collections
Year Level:
9 - VCE
Maximum Group Size:
25 (1 class, 2 groups)
Program Length:
60 minutes
Program Cost:
$5 / student affiliate schools
$13 / student non-affiliate schools
Program Description:
Go behind-the-scenes with one of the world’s oldest collections of Chinese processional objects, including Loong the dragon, and discover the extensive collection of missionaries George and Robina Arnott-Rogers. Explore questions of migration and cultural exchange between China and Australia.
Curriculum Keywords:
Australia and Asia, History, Ethics, Careers, Religion
NEW Discover It Yourself Trails Program
Have you used one of our trails? We would love your feedback as we are always looking to improve our programs. Take survey
Mindfulness
Download the Mindfulness Trail
Year Level:
3 - 6
Maximum Group Size:
Self-guided, no limit
Program Length:
50 minutes (5 x 10 minute activities)
Program Cost:
Free download from website
Program Description:
This self-guided program is designed to help students look at the Museum in a new way. The activities are set to help students focus, interpret, and reflect on what they are seeing in the Museum and to make connections. Activities cover being present, naming emotions, distinguishing between thoughts and emotions, compassion and perspective.
Curriculum Keywords:
Personal and Social Capability (mental health and wellbeing), History (Victoria in the 1850s), and Visual Arts (19th century colonial artists).
Mathematics
Download the Mathematics Trail
Year Level:
3 - 6
Maximum Group Size:
Self-guided, no limit
Program Length:
50 minutes (5 x 10 minute activities)
Program Cost:
Free download from website
Program Description:
This self-guided program is designed to help students look at the Museum in a new way. Activities cover patterns, data representation, units of measurement, and money / financial mathematics
Curriculum Keywords:
History (Victoria in the 1850s), Mathematics
ST Gill
Year Level:
3 - 6
Maximum Group Size:
Self-guided, no limit
Program Length:
40 minutes
Program Cost:
Free download from website
Program Description:
This self-guided program is designed to help students look at the Museum in a new way, particularly the paintings of ST Gill, an important primary source in creating the look and feel of the Sovereign Hill Outdoor Museum.
Curriculum Keywords:
History (goldrush), Visual Arts
Teachers can register for free entry at any time. For more information visit education.sovereignhill.com.au/teachers/educator-pass
