EDAB 411 Blog
Tags: Seasons, Astronomy

Astronomy

‘Astronomy is a key principle in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander living’ (Bhathal, 2006, pg. 527)

Much like western astronomy, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander astronomy share similarities in terms of naming celestial objects, however, the naming and connection to these celestial objects mark the contrast in astronomy understandings. An example of this is the naming of The Southern Cross. In Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures, The Southern Cross is known as The Eagles Foot. The Eagles Foot has strong spiritual connections to many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, where The Eagles Foot is seen as a place spirits, who no longer live on the earth, travel up into to heavens. Here we begin to explore ways in which The Eagles Foot provides for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, in terms of hunting. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fishing communities along the coast of Northern Australia, the Eagles Foot represents a stingray. Closely associating the astronomy with fishing practices. Another example of Indigenous knowledge and cultural perspective of astronomy is the Arcturus Star in the night sky. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, seeing the Arcturus Star indicates a time for harvesting, in the setting of fish traps (Mountford, 1956, cited in Bhathal, 2006, pg 529).

Source: Google Images https://www.abc.net.au/science/starhunt/tour/virtual/southern-cross/

Source: Eagles Foot http://aboriginalastronomy.blogspot.com/2012/05/eagle-dreaming.html

The connection between seasons and astronomy

‘A two in one’ interconnectivity.

Just recently I taught a lesson to my Kindergarten class on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander seasons. Now after writing this blog, I’m left puzzled! Clearly, there is a connection between seasons and astronomy… that would have been a perfect follow up lesson! This two in one interconnectivity teaching and learning concept of introducing a new subject area (astronomy) to an already introduced subject area (seasons) would have further my students learning of Indigenous knowledge and cultural perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Possible continuing activities/lessons:

Activity 1: Ss create a Information Report (in the form of a Podcast/Newsletter/Poster)

Activity 2: Ss develop interview questions (Ss develop interview questions on season changes and what these changes mean for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples)

Activity 3: Ss create a Dharug Season Calendar (KLA: Visual Arts)

Within the curriculum

In lesson planning you try to always include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures as a cross-curriculum priority but what exactly does that mean? And how can it be done? Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures is a cross-curriculum priority that is steamed throughout all key learning areas [KLAs]. Where according to the Australian Curriculum, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures explores the relationships Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have with the land/country and their interconnectedness with the environment (2017, pg. 39). It is within the K-6 Science and Technology Syllabus we can develop lessons surrounding Indigenous knowledge and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural perspectives of both seasons and astronomy.

For example, for Stage 2, within Earth and Space, students explore the Earth’s relationship with the sun . It is also within the strand students explore and investigate seasonal changes and what these changes mean for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (NESA, 2017, pg. 75).

Source: Teacher Pay Teachers (Dharug Seasonal Calendar- Free Digital Download))

Additional helpful teaching resources in teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures (Seasons) are linked below!

These resources range from Early Stage 1 to Stage 3

References:

Bhathal, R. (2006). Astronomy in Aboriginal culture. Astronomy & Geophysics, 47(5), 527–530. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-4004.2006.47527.x

Carlson, B. (2016). Striking the Right Chord: Indigenous people and the love of country. AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, 12(5), 498–512.

NSW Education Standards Authority [NESA]. (2017) Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus.