The Moonta Branch of the National Trust of South Australia are excited to be working with Makers Empire to deliver a school-based program to the Copper Coast and Yorke Peninsula which encourages students from selected schools in the area to imagine the life of children in the 1860s at the Moonta Mines.
Over the past two school terms, students from five primary schools have been using new technologies to bring the stories of the past to life. The Moonta Mines: The Magic and Mystery of Life on the Mines project has been partly funded through the Moonta Mines Heritage Project Grant and initiative in the Moonta Branch.
Adelaide-based company, Makers Empire has been facilitating the project with teachers and students from Moonta Area School, Wallaroo Primary School, Harvest Christian College, Mary McKillop School, and Central Yorke School. Makers Empire has developed a fun and easy-to-use 3D modelling software learning program for primary and middle school students to create 3D designs that can be 3D printed or brought to life in augmented reality.
Each participating school has received a subscription to Makers Empire and a 3D printer as part of the funding. Students have been taken on a journey back in time exploring the stories of the early days of the Moonta Mines. They have visited the Moonta Mines Museum and worked through a series of learning activities to find out what it was like for children of the past to live, work, and learn on the mines. Interesting objects from the Museum’s collection including the Pickey Boy’s table, billy goat cart, and household objects have helped the school children imagine life from another era.
The project also challenged students to create objects of their own by putting their design skills to the test and putting their new 3D printers to the test. Students were asked to design something that could help a family living and working on the mines.
Their creations will be on display as part of a special exhibition at the Moonta Mines Museum from September 1st – 27th.
For further details go to our website www.moontaheritage.com.au or give the Moonta Tourist Office a call on 8821 1891.
