AIATSIS Education is taking bookings for school sessions in 2026. We are offering the following programs in Term 2:
- ‘Introduction to AIATSIS Maraga’ for students in Years 3 to 6.
- ‘Water through the Seasons: The Art of Jimmy Pike’ for students in Years 3 and 4.
- ‘Stories: The AIATSIS Photographic Collection’ for students in Years 9 to 12.
Term 2 available dates:
- 4 May to 8 May 2026 (bookings close Monday, 27 April at 5pm)
- 15 June to 19 June 2026 (bookings close Monday, 8 June at 5pm)
- 22 June to 26 June 2026 (bookings close Monday, 8 June at 5pm)
During these weeks, sessions are offered daily at 10am and 12:30pm.
Current School Sessions
Introduction to AIATSIS Maraga
Session description: This interactive session will introduce students to who AIATSIS is, the type of work we do, and how we care for and conserve the largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander items and objects in Australia. Students will learn about the Kokobera-Kunjen shield and the meaning of the AIATSIS logo. This hands-on session includes a treasure hunt where students can engage with collection items on display in the exhibition space.
Year level: Years 3, 4, 5, and 6
Length: 60-minute session
Capacity: 30 students per session
Location: Maraga (the AIATSIS building), 51 Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, Acton ACT 2601
Cost: Free
For bookings, please book through the Eventbrite link:
https://educational-experiences-at-aiatsis-maraga.eventbrite.com.au/
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Booking on Eventbrite
- Select your preferred date and time from the session options available.
If your preferred session is unavailable, feel free to join the waitlist. - From the list of educational experiences provided, select 'Introduction to AIATSIS Maraga’ and click ‘Register’. Please note that 1 ticket is equivalent to a school group of up to 30 students maximum.
- Input your contact details and session information in the ‘Checkout’ pop up.
- Select ‘Register’ to complete the order.
A confirmation message will appear on screen and a confirmation email will be automatically sent to your email address. - Access your ticket through the Eventbrite website or app. After you have made your booking, an AIATSIS Education team member will contact you with pre-visit information.
Notes:
- One ticket is available to book for each available session. This single ticket entitles up to 40 students to attend the session.
- After you have made your booking, an AIATSIS Education team member will contact you with pre-visit information.
- All materials needed during the session are provided by AIATSIS.
- Teachers are responsible for duty of care and behaviour management of students and must be present throughout the session.
- Select your preferred date and time from the session options available.
-
Learning intentions and curriculum connections
Students will:
- Learn about AIATSIS and the type of work we do.
- Identify the AIATSIS logo and understand its meaning.
- Understand the rules around the gallery and exhibition space, and why they exist (collection care and conservation).
- Understand the range of items in the AIATSIS Collection.
- Reflect on the impact and significance of AIATSIS.
This session links to the Australian Curriculum Version 9.
The Arts: Visual arts (Exploring and responding) Years 3-4 Explore how First Nations Australians use visual arts to communicate their connection to and responsibility for Country/Place (AC9AVA4E02) Years 5-6 Explore ways that First Nations Australians use visual arts to continue and revitalise cultures (AC9AVA6E02) Years 5-6 Explore ways that visual conventions, visual arts processes and materials are combined to communicate ideas, perspectives and/or meaning in visual arts across cultures, times, places and/or other contexts (AC9AVA6E01) Years 7-8 Investigate the diversity of First Nations Australians’ artworks and arts practices, considering culturally responsive approaches to Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property rights (AC9AVA8E02) Years 9-10 Investigate the ways that artists across cultures, times, places and/or other contexts develop personal expression in their visual arts practice to represent, communicate and/or challenge ideas, perspectives and/or meaning (AC9AVA10E01) Media Arts (Exploring and responding) Years 3-4 Explore how First Nations Australians use media arts to communicate their connection to and responsibility for Country/Place (AC9AMA4E02) Years 5-6 Explore ways First Nations Australians use media arts to continue and revitalise cultures (AC9AMA6E02) Years 7-8 Investigate the diversity of First Nations Australians’ media arts works and practices, considering culturally responsive approaches to Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property rights (AC9AMA8E02) Years 9-10 Investigate the ways First Nations Australian media artists and/or producers celebrate and challenge multiple perspectives of Australian identity through media arts (AC9AMA10E02) Humanities and Social Sciences (Knowledge and understanding) Year 3 Geography The ways First Nations Australians in different parts of Australia are interconnected with Country/Place (AC9HS3K04) Year 4 History The diversity of First Nations Australians, their social organisation and their continuous connection to Country/Place (AC9HS4K01) Year 5 Geography The influence of people, including First Nations Australians and people in other countries, on the characteristics of a place (AC9HS5K04) Year 7 Geography The cultural connectedness of people to places and how this influences their identity, sense of belonging and perceptions of a place, in particular the cultural connectedness of First Nations Australians to Country/Place (AC9HG7K07) Year 8 Geography The spiritual, aesthetic and cultural value of landscapes and landforms for people, including Country/Place of First Nations Australians (AC9HG8K03) Year 9 History - Making and transforming the Australian nation (1750–1914) The causes and effects of European contact and extension of settlement, including their impact on the First Nations Peoples of Australia (AC9HH9K03) Year 10 History – Building Modern Australia The continuing efforts to create change in the civil rights and freedoms in Australia, for First Nations Australians, migrants and women (AC9HH10K13) Media Arts (Exploring and responding) Years 3-4 Explore how First Nations Australians use media arts to communicate their connection to and responsibility for Country/Place (AC9AMA4E02) Years 5-6 Explore ways First Nations Australians use media arts to continue and revitalise cultures (AC9AMA6E02) Years 7-8 Investigate the diversity of First Nations Australians’ media arts works and practices, considering culturally responsive approaches to Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property rights (AC9AMA8E02) Years 9-10 Investigate the ways First Nations Australian media artists and/or producers celebrate and challenge multiple perspectives of Australian identity through media arts (AC9AMA10E02) Cross-curriculum priority: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures Country/ Place Culture People General Capabilities Critical and Creative Thinking Intercultural Understanding
Water through the Seasons: The Art of Jimmy Pike
Session description: Students will learn about artworks and stories in the AIATSIS Collection by renowned Walmajarri artist, Jimmy Pike. Students will explore Walmajarri people’s language, interconnection with Country, and knowledges of water through the seasons. This will be contrasted with water sources and seasons on Ngunnawal Country, which is the Country the AIATSIS Maraga building is situated on. Students will be led through a critical and creative thinking task to generate ideas in order to create individual artworks informed by the themes, mediums, and materials used by Jimmy Pike.
Year level: Years 3 and 4
Length: 75-minute session
Capacity: 40 students per session
Location: Maraga (the AIATSIS building), 51 Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, Acton ACT 2601
Cost: Free
For bookings, please book through the Eventbrite link:
https://educational-experiences-at-aiatsis-maraga.eventbrite.com.au/
-
Booking on Eventbrite
- Select your preferred date and time from the session options available.
- From the list of educational experiences provided, select 'Water through the Seasons: The Art of Jimmy Pike’ and click ‘Register’. Please note that 1 ticket is equivalent to a school group of up to 40 students maximum.
- Input your contact details and session information in the ‘Checkout’ pop up.
- Select ‘Register’ to complete the order. A confirmation message will appear on screen and a confirmation email will be automatically sent to your email address.
- Access your ticket through the Eventbrite website or app. After you have made your booking, an AIATSIS Education team member will contact you with pre-visit information.
Notes:
- One ticket is available to book for each available session. This single ticket entitles up to 40 students to attend the session.
- All materials needed during the session are provided by AIATSIS.
- Teachers are responsible for duty of care and behaviour management of students and must be present throughout the session.
-
Learning intentions and curriculum connections
Students will:
- Learn about AIATSIS, why and how we care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander collections.
- Learn about the art of Jimmy Pike, his knowledge of water and seasons through his connection with Walmajarri Country, contrasting knowledge with water and seasons on Ngunnawal Country.
- Develop design ideas based on the theme of water across the seasons.
- Draw inspiration from Jimmy Pikes colour palettes, materials and techniques to develop an artwork about a significant place with a focus on water.
This session links to the Australian Curriculum Version 9.
Visual Arts (Exploring and responding) Years 3-4 Explore how First Nations Australians use visual arts to communicate their connection to and responsibility for Country/Place (AC9AVA4E02) Visual Arts (Creating and making) Years 3-4 Use visual conventions, visual arts processes and materials to create artworks that communicate ideas, perspectives and/or meaning (AC9AVA4C01) Science (Science understanding) Year 4 Earth and space sciences
Identify sources of water and describe key processes in the water cycle, including movement of water through the sky, landscape and ocean; precipitation; evaporation; and condensation (AC9S4U02)Humanities and Social Sciences (Knowledge and understanding) Year 4 Geography
The importance of environments, including natural vegetation and water sources, to people and animals in Australia and on another continent (AC9HS4K05)Cross-curriculum priority: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures Country/ Place Culture People General Capabilities Critical and Creative Thinking Intercultural Understanding
Stories: The AIATSIS Photographic Collection
Session description: Students will examine photographs from the AIATSIS Photographic Collection, exploring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories that connect to Country, significant people, or events. Students will explore the importance of storytelling from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives. They will engage in deep listening of these stories and identify the significance of photographic records in preserving them.
Year level: Years 9, 10, 11, and 12.
Length: 75-minute session
Capacity: 30 students per session
Location: Maraga (the AIATSIS building), 51 Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, Acton ACT 2601
Cost: Free
For bookings, please book through the Eventbrite link:
https://educational-experiences-at-aiatsis-maraga.eventbrite.com.au/
-
Booking on Eventbrite
- Select your preferred date and time from the session options available.
- 2. From the list of educational experiences provided, select 'Stories: The AIATSIS Photographic Collection’ and click ‘Register’. Please note that 1 ticket is equivalent to a school group of up to 30 students maximum.
- Input your contact details and session information in the ‘Checkout’ pop up.
- Select ‘Register’ to complete the order. A confirmation message will appear on screen and a confirmation email will be automatically sent to your email address.
- Access your ticket through the Eventbrite website or app. After you have made your booking, an AIATSIS Education team member will contact you with pre-visit information.
Notes:
- One ticket is available to book for each available session. This single ticket entitles up to 30 students to attend the session.
- All materials needed during the session are provided by AIATSIS.
- Teachers are responsible for duty of care and behaviour management of students and must be present throughout the session.
-
Learning intentions and curriculum connections
Students will:
- Describe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ perspectives of the purpose of storytelling and explore the diverse ways these stories are shared.
- Consider the diverse perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ stories and recognise that these stories are a way of sharing knowledge and truth-telling.
- Use research skills to identify stories within photographs from the AIATSIS Photographic Collection and collate data about them.
- Analyse their own interpretations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories they identify within the AIATSIS Photographic Collection and compare these to perspectives of their peers.
- Consider how they might engage in deep listening of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander storytelling into the future.
This session links to the Australian Curriculum Version 9.
Humanities and Social Sciences: Civics and Citizenship (Knowledge and Understanding) Year 9 How and why individuals and groups, including community, religious and cultural groups, participate in and contribute to civic life in Australia and to global citizenship (AC9HC9K05) Year 9 The influence of a range of media, including social media, in shaping identity and attitudes to diversity (AC9HC9K06) Humanities and Social Sciences: History (Knowledge and Understanding) Year 9 The causes and effects of European contact and extension of settlement, including their impact on the First Nations Peoples of Australia (AC9HH9K03) Year 9 Significant events, ideas, people, groups and movements in the development of Australian society (AC9HH9K04) Year 9 Different experiences and perspectives of colonisers, settlers and First Nations Australians and the impact of these experiences on changes to Australian society’s ideas, beliefs and values. (AC9HH9K06) Year 10 The causes of First Nations Australians’ campaigns for rights and freedoms before 1965, such as discriminatory legislation and policies, the 1938 Day of Mourning and the Stolen Generations (AC9HH10K09) Year 10 The contributions of significant individuals and groups in the campaign for the recognition of the rights of First Nations Australians and the extent to which they brought change to Australian society (AC9HH10K10) Year 10 The significant events and methods in the movement for the civil rights of First Nations Australians and the extent to which they contributed to change (AC9HH10K11) Year 10 The continuing efforts to create change in the civil rights and freedoms in Australia, for First Nations Australians, migrants and women (AC9HH10K13) Humanities and Social Sciences: History (Skills) Years 9 - 10 Identify the origin and content of sources, and explain the purpose and context of primary and secondary sources (AC9HH9S03; AC9HH10S03) Years 9 - 10 Explain the usefulness of primary and secondary sources, and the reliability of the information as evidence (AC9HH9S04; AC9HH10S04) Years 9 - 10 Compare perspectives in sources and explain how these are influences by significant events, ideas, locations, beliefs and values (AC9HH9S06; AC9HH10S06) Years 9 - 10 Analyse different and contested historical interpretations (AC9HH9S07; AC9HH10S07) Cross-curriculum priority: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures Country/ Place Culture People General Capabilities Critical and Creative Thinking Intercultural Understanding This session links to the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies (BSSS)
Indigenous Cultures and Languages – Ways of Knowing Years 11-12 In this unit, students will develop insights into Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples through comparison with local, national and global communities. Students will explore the complexities and rich opportunities of the concept of shared worlds and cultures, considering the personal experiences of community members. Students will investigate traditional and contemporary ways in which communities transfer language, knowledge, beliefs and values including protocol, roles and responsibilities. Students will engage with the arts, literature and story-telling. Photography A/T/M - Narratives in Photography Years 11-12 Students learn about the photographer as a storyteller. They explore photographic works across different photographic platforms that are constructed or documented to shape narrative. Through analysis of narratives in photographic works, students gain insights on how perspectives on the world and/or identity are presented. Students apply their theoretical and technical skills to construct and/or document narratives. This session links to the following Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (NTCET)/South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) subjects
Aboriginal Studies Years 11-12 (Stage 1 & 2) Learning Strands:
- Learning from and with Aboriginal peoples and communities
- Narratives
- Respect and responsibility
Visual Arts - Area of study 3: Visual Arts in Context Years 11-12 (Stage 1 & 2) Students are provided with opportunities to contextualise art or design; that is, to place works of art or design culturally, socially, and/or historically. Politics, Power, People – Option theme 4: Politics of the minority: making Aboriginal voices heard Year 12 (Stage 2) Students focus on connecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives with politics. Students reflect on the degree to which Aboriginal voices have been considered by and influenced parliament, and the extent to which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have autonomy, sovereignty, and governance. Comparative studies of other marginalised communities around the world allow students to form an appreciation of the challenges and the experiences that these communities face.
Thank you for your interest in our educational programs and visiting AIATSIS.
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