Primary Years (years 3 - 6)
Investigate the people, places and events that have been a major influence in shaping Darwin into the unique place it is today.
Program snapshot
Investigate the people, places and events that have been a major influence in shaping Darwin into the unique place it is today.
Session name: Then and Now - How has Darwin's past influenced what it is today?
Available days: Tuesday or Thursday morning.
Time: Session commences at 10am. The session will run for approximately 60 minutes.
Curriculum: The program addresses learning outcomes in the Australian Curriculum
Location: Northern Territory Library, inside Parliament House, 4 Bennett Street, Darwin City
Booking and enquiries: All enquiries and bookings to be made via email at: lant.education@nt.gov.au.
Learning experiences
Students will:
- watch a 12 minute film that travels through time from Aboriginal peoples as sole inhabitants, to early explorers and European settlers, and on to self-government and the present day
- investigate significant events in the Territory’s history using the pictorial timeline, and discuss the impact of these events
- explore key concepts such as continuity and change, cause and effect, perspectives, empathy and significance
- document learning and present to peers
Curriculum Links
Humanities and Social Sciences
- use local history to explore the key concepts of sources, continuity and change, cause and effect, significance, perspectives and empathy
- use local geography to explore the concepts of place and interconnection
- evaluating and reflecting
General capabilities
- Critical and creative thinking
Cross-curriculum priorities
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures
Before your visit:
- Students will gain more from the visit if they have already explored some aspects of Northern Territory history. Check out the Explore NT History page on our website for some history inspiration.
After your visit:
After the facilitated session, you may wish your students to explore other sections of the exhibition, under your own guidance. Exhibition areas that have strong links to Then and Now are Maps and Tracking, and Territorians.
Have a snack at Goyder Park at the intersection of Hughes and Kitchener Drive Darwin Waterfront (just below Government House). This is the location of Goyder’s camp in 1887. The site shows the layout of the camp and includes interpretive signs.
Download the Surveying Darwin 1869, Bombing of Darwin, The Story of Ayaiga and Cyclone Tracy education packages from the Explore NT History page.
Library & Archives NT staff will email you a link to view and download images from the session as evidence of students’ learning.
If you share any photos from your trip to the Library on social media please use #educationLANT.
Session Supervision
The session is facilitated by a Visitor Experience Librarian. To ensure the best experience for all, duty of care, including supervision of student behaviour, is the responsibility of the class teacher. It is expected that students will behave in a respectful manner and be aware that other people may be visiting the exhibition at the same time. We look forward to welcoming students, teachers and accompanying adults.
Excursion Details
The journey to get to the Library is part of your excursion experience, please read about how to make a booking and getting here.