Star Dreaming (ATOM Study Guide)

Deep in the Australian Outback, two children, Max Winton and Lucia Richardson, go on a magical odyssey through time and space, exploring the mysteries of the Universe via the world's largest radio telescope and its oldest living culture.

In the arid heartland of the Murchison region of Western Australia, Max and Lucia, visit the remote site of the Square Kilometre Array or SKA radio telescope. There, they learn about the beginnings of time and space and the life cycle of stars. Then through a special door, Max and Lucia enter the ancient land of the Yamaji people where they meet with artist, Charmaine Green. She becomes their guide as they travel through the land of her ancestors and introduces them to other artists and their paintings. The artists share with the children star stories that have been passed on from generation to generation. Max and Lucia discover how much the scientific world and the ancient world have in common, for we all live under one sky, a shared sky.

Curriculum Links:

Star Dreaming is suitable for students undertaking:

• Years 1–6 Humanities and Social Sciences
• Years 1–6 English
• Years 1–6 Visual Arts
• Years 5–10 Science (with applications in Senior Science courses)
• Years 7–10 Design and Technologies
• Years 7–10 Media Arts

With further links to: Years 5–9 Mathematics and the Cross-curricular priority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures.

While many activities across this Study Guide are specifically intended for certain subjects or year levels, as indicated with each header, these tasks can be modified to suit different cross-curricular purposes as the teacher sees fit.

Teachers are advised to consult the Australian Curriculum and curriculum outlines relevant to their state or territory for further information.