Education

The Port Arthur Discovery Box is a resource that schools can use to teach Australian convict history

The innovative Port Arthur Discovery Box is available to Tasmanian schools. This is a terrific way to offer students a first hand experience of Port Arthur's history without leaving the classroom and a great opportunity to learn about Tasmania’s exciting convict heritage.(Credit: PAHSMA - photo by Sarah Quine, 2007)

Port Arthur Discovery Box

The innovative Port Arthur Discovery Box is available to Tasmanian schools. This is a terrific way to offer students a first hand experience of Port Arthur's history without leaving the classroom and a great opportunity to learn about Tasmania’s exciting convict heritage.

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The Port Arthur Discovery Box consists of two travelling boxes containing a range of authentic and tactile convict artefacts, along with photos, maps, books, published information and a list of other resources.

A teaching pack accompanies the box to guide teachers and to assist them with the integration of a range activities and first hand experiences about the Port Arthur Penal Station’s convict history into their classrooms.

Teaching resources

Our Education Officer has created lesson and unit plans for use within the classroom or in conjunction with site visits.

Lesson plans for use with Key to Port Arthur Investigations are also available.

Cost

Borrowing the Discovery Box is free of charge. The only cost to schools is $40 for freight for the boxes to and from their school. The period for loan can be from two to four weeks: about four days needs to be allowed for transport.

Bookings

Schools wishing to book the Discovery Box should contact the Education Officer for further information and a booking form.