Investigating Modern History: The mystery of Winston the Platypus
-
Audience
Secondary school -
Learning stage
Stage 6 -
Learning area
History -
Type
Museum educator-led
© Australian Museum
About the program:
As conflict raged across the globe during World War II, a platypus named Winston was sent from Australia as a gift for Winston Churchill. But Winston never made it to his destination. What happened to him, and what evidence can help us uncover the truth?
In this Stage 6 Modern History program, students will explore the nature, range and importance of archives to historians and how the Australian Museum archives and Research Institute have contributed to an understanding of the past.
Students will analyse records from the Australian Museum archives, explore its collections and visit the Research Library to investigate Winston’s story. Working as historians, students will develop and test hypotheses, corroborate evidence and evaluate sources for authenticity, reliability and usefulness, before creating their own theories on Winston's tragic ending.
Through this real-world investigation, students will experience how historians use archives, sources and evidence to reconstruct and contest the past and explore a hidden history of international relations and animal diplomacy in the context of global conflict.
Audience: This program is bookable for Stage 6 Modern History students.
Cost: $20 (GST included) per student with a minimum cost of $200 per session.
Duration: 120 minutes
Capacity: Due to the capacity of the Australian Museum Research Library, this program accommodates up to 20 students per session, please book two sessions for classes over 20.
Term: Terms 1-4 2027
Dates: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
Times: 10am & 12:15pm
NSW Syllabus
Modern History Stage 6 (2024)
Investigating modern history – The nature of modern history
A student:
- MH-11-05 analyses different types of sources for evidence to support a historical account or argument
- MH-11-0 6explains differing interpretations and representations of the past
- MH-11-07 communicates historical understanding, applying historical knowledge, terms and concepts
This program is applicable to any of the following options:
- The investigation of historic sites and sources
- The contestability of the past
Any changes to numbers or cancellations must be made in writing by emailing group.bookings@australian.museum before the date for Final Confirmation (14 days prior to your visit).
Final booking numbers must be confirmed at least 14 days prior to the scheduled visit.
A tax invoice will be issued prior to your visit based on Final Confirmation details.
A tax invoice based on Final Confirmation details will be issued prior to your visit or session.
Please advise at the time of booking if the tax invoice needs to be issued to a different contact name or email address. NSW Department of Education schools that use the EDConnect payment system should advise this at time of booking and provide a purchase order number if required.
Our payment terms are net 14 days. However, it is the AM’s strong preference that bookings be paid in full prior to the visit.
Adjustments on the day – the AM will adjust the invoice amount and you must pay the difference where:
i) Group numbers increase from Final Confirmation numbers; or
ii) the Group changes to a more expensive booking/ticket.
The adjusted invoice payment terms are net 14 days. To be clear, where numbers are less than Final Confirmation numbers, no deductions or refunds will be given.
For information about your excursion, arrival to the Museum and available facilities, visit our school excursions page.
