Activity Introduction

First Nations Ecology: Traditional Indigenous Ecology – Year 10 Science

Lesson summary

Exploring how Indigenous Australians’ understanding of and adaptation to changing ecologies such as water ecology and fire management contributes to scientific knowledge and practices being adopted more broadly by society

This is a standalone lesson within the First Nations Science – Year 10 Unit. For more Year 10 Science lessons about First Nations Science, head to the rest of the Unit here!

Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that these lessons may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.

Learning intentions:

Students will:

  • Recognise that changes in climate and ecology have been experienced, collated and communicated by Indigenous Australians for millennia.

Success Criteria:

Students can:

  • Describe how Indigenous Australian knowledge of changing ecologies is being reaffirmed by, as well as contributing to, Western Scientific knowledge
  • Define and communicate the multiple variables impacting water ecology in Central Australia
  • Define and communicate the relationship between Indigenous fire-burning practices and the generation of carbon credits in contemporary Australia.

Lesson details

  • Collaboration
  • Critical Thinking
  • Prototyping
  • Curiosity
  • Adaptability
  • Ethical Understanding
  • Empathy
  • Intercultural understanding
  • Creativity
  • Communication
  • Reflection

UN SDG 4: Quality Education

Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.

Australian Curriculum (v9.0) content descriptions – Science

Students learn to:

Analyse the key factors that contribute to scientific knowledge and practices being adopted more broadly by society (AC9S10H03).

General capabilities: Literacy, Ethical Understanding, Personal and Social Capability

Syllabus outcomes: SC5-15LW

Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures. 

Relevant parts of Year 10 achievement standards:

Students can analyse the key factors that influence interactions between science and society

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – facilitate class discussion; teach the tool of concept mapping

a photograph of Dr Tim Patston wearing a suit in front of a leafy green backgroundThis lesson was produced in collaboration with Dr Tim Patston. Dr Tim Patston is the leader of Creative Actions consultancy activities. He is co-author with an Indigenous Elder of an educational resource focusing on Indigenous Astronomy. In addition to his work with schools to develop creativity within students and as an author of Creative Actions, Tim and his family have a long connection with collaborating with First Nations groups to bring illustrations of their understandings to life through Indigenous Astronomy. The Starwheel is an immersive experience for teachers and students, combining the authenticity of First Peoples’ voice with Non-Indigenous science. The Starwheel brings an ancient perspective of the night sky to modern observers, shining a light on the complexity and depth of Indigenous observation, science and creativity. 

Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.

We don’t have any related professional courses for this lesson at the moment, but we do have heaps of other Cool professional learning here.

 

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

First Nations Ecology: How Traditional Indigenous Ecological Practices Influence Current Western Science - Year 10 Science

Teacher content information

Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that these lessons may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.

This is a standalone lesson within the First Nations Science - Year 10 Unit. For more Year 10 Science lessons about First Nations Science, head to the rest of the Unit here.

Before teaching any of these lessons, it is essential to note that the contents of each lesson are not necessarily a representation of the knowledges and practices of all of the hundreds of Indigenous groups across Australia; that's like asking a French person to speak on behalf of Italians because they're both from Europe! Instead, what you will find in these lessons are illustrations of the practices of the specific Indigenous Peoples named in the lesson. With this in mind, Cool highly recommends reaching out to the Eld

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Student Worksheet

First Nations Ecology: How Traditional Indigenous Ecological Practices Influence Current Western Science - Year 10 Science

Student Worksheet

Thought-starter: What is the Oldest Story Ever Told?

Indigenous Australians' Experience of climate change

1. Read about the creation story of Budj Bim and think about the links between this Indigenous Australian creation story and Western Science. (earthdate.org/episodes/the-oldest-story-ever-told)

2. How do you think Western Science might learn from Indigenous Australian knowledge?

Indigenous Australians Knowledge of water ecology in Central Australia

3. Watch the following video - Looking after Water Places, which shows how the Warlpiri people are connected to the Country and the water ecosystem around them. As you watch the video, try to jot down some points from the information you see and hear. Focus on the physical features of the water ecosystem, any other factors associated with the ecosystem and how the Indigenous people from t

...
 
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