PowerHouse Museum

While looking at the brochure for this museum it looked as though every section of the museum was interactive for students of any age. But as we walked throughout only certain sections were interactive. Watching the different schools that entered the museum and walked the museum was interesting to see. The young boys group had complete respect for their male teachers/group leaders and the man conducting the introduction and questions. But the female group leaders could not control teh boys in any way as I was walking around the museum. This is diversilly different from what I have seen in teh United States, where studetns need to try and respect every group leader regardless of gender. The young boys group also wore school unifroms that seemed to consist of many different parts; they were not just slacks and a polo shirt. When we went back to the classroom Ms. Ruth stated that some school unifroms can cost hundreds of dollars and can consist of multiple parts depending on teh season. As a whole class we developed a list of pros and cons with having school uniforms. School unifroms do not allow students to express themselves individually through their clothing, but they allow for easy visual contact of students. Back at the museum, we walked through the many exhibits and I became greatful for many Australians and the inventions they created. For example the tabs on soda cans, the glow-in-the-dark golf ball, and a hand powered washing machine were all created by Australians. These inventions have changed teh work in a powerful way that I do not know how I could live without. As we got an introduction on the education programs that the museum has to offer and hwo they are developed and created. Four teachers from around New South Wales work together at the museum over a week to develop activities that will work for students of any age group. Teachers are used in this process to ensure that the programs are worked to the best for teh students. I have not seen this methods used in thet United States at different museums in Chicago, but could see it being more benefical for students. Also many, if not all, of the museums throughout Sydney are free to everyone and the only charges that may apply are for speical or temporaty exhibits. The aboriginal section of the museum was interesting to see; a new perspective on teh family line of many aboriginal people. One part of the exhibits that I found interesting were the wooden logs and steel posts. These objects were found at an site of aboriginal family by white people, but it was also the site where the white people were found guilty of the crime they committed. This must have been a turning point for some aboriginal people who might have felt relieved to know that some justice was given to them for the crime.