Visit our Education Centre
Visit our Earth science Education Centre for a hands-on-experience
Education Centre Tours
Geoscience Australia's Education Centre mainly caters to pre-booked school groups. However it is open to the public outside of these booked times during office hours.
Virtual Tour
- Google Arts and Culture view some of our exhibits online including our most valuable unseen mineral specimens which are housed in our vault
An earth science excursion
Students can discover the earth sciences through curriculum-linked, hands-on activities that keep students captivated, focused and looking for more.
Our Education Centre offers a free, earth science focused excursion. Programs delivered by a team of professional geoscience educators are tailored to the age group and curriculum stage of students. Students discuss relevant topics and undertake self-directed hands-on activities. Each program is guided by activity sheets that are designed to help students in their on-site exploration, and enhance their understanding of how the earth sciences are an interesting and relevant part of their lives.
While at Geoscience Australia, students will make their mark by adding a layer to our 'visitor book' sediment columns and record an earthquake using our in-house seismograph. Our education programs also utilises the National Mineral Collection, which contains world class minerals, rocks, and fossil specimens and fine examples of satellite imagery, mapping and historic geological instrumentation.
Making an earthquake
Adding a new layer of sand to the
sediment column
Sand under the microscope
Book a visit with us
Opening times
Aerial photo of Geoscience
Australia
The Education Centre is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. Closed weekends. Admission is free, although group bookings are essential.
Book a visit
*Bookings for 2020 are now closed.
*Please note that from 2021 we will no longer accept school visits on Fridays
General school visits run for 1.5 hours with a maximum group size of 60 students.
To request a booking, use the booking form. Booking requests are not finalised until you receive a confirmation email from Geoscience Australia.
Cost: Free
Venue and safety information
Geoscience Australia is committed to providing a safe and accessible venue for visitors.
During a visit students remain the responsibility of teachers and must be supervised at all times.
- Venue and safety information [PDF 94KB]
- View our Certificate of Currency [PDF 205 KB]
Location
Address
Cnr Jerrabomberra Ave and Hindmarsh Drive, Symonston ACT 2609
Coach parking is available at the front of the site.
Special Needs
Parking for people with disabilities is available near the main entrance to the building. Disabled toilet facilities are provided.
The Education Centre and the National Mineral Collection are both located on the ground floor with easy access for mobility impaired visitors.
Catering
Blackstone Café is located on the ground floor of the building and is open to the public from 8am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday.
Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea can be provided for school groups with prior notice. Contact Blackstone Café on (02) 6249 9149 or email Blackstonecafe@icloud.com.
Contact
For further information please contact the Education Centre:
Email:
education@ga.gov.au
Phone:
(02) 6249 9673
Post:
Geoscience Australia Education Centre
GPO Box 378
Canberra ACT 2601
Our education programs
Geoscience Australia's Education Centre offers programs directly linked to the Australian curriculum for each year level.
Weathering and Erosion
Age group: Year 3/4
ACSU075: Earth's surface changes over time as a result of natural processes and human activity.
The Weathering and Erosion program focuses on changes that occur in rocks and the landscape as a result of geological and climatic influences, and how fossils can give us clues to what the pre-historic landscape was like.
Teacher notes and student activities:
Fossils from around the world
Hazards
Age group: Year 5/6
ACSSU096: Sudden geological changes or extreme weather conditions can affect Earth's surface.
ACSHE098: Science involves testing predictions by gathering data and using evidence to develop explanations of events and phenomena.
The Hazards program focuses on earthquakes and tsunamis. Students examine real earthquakes recorded by the Geoscience Australia seismometer, and learn how and where earthquakes and tsunamis are likely to happen, what the impact can be and Geoscience Australia's role in reducing the human toll of such events.
Teacher notes and student activities:
Earthquake Making
Rocks and Minerals
Age group: Year 8
ACSSU153: Sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks contain minerals and are formed by processes that occur within Earth over a variety of timescales.
The Rocks and Minerals program focuses on the rock cycle, identifying rocks through their characteristics, and looking at the different properties, such as lustre, hardness and streak, that help geologists identify minerals. The hands-on component includes identifying mystery rocks.
Teacher notes and student activities:
Students exploring the National Mineral Collection
Plate tectonics
Age group: Year 9
ACSSU180: The theory of plate tectonics explains global patterns of geological activity and continental movement.
The Plate Tectonics program concentrates on the mechanisms of plate tectonics and uses 3D technology to examine the evidence that supports the theory including earthquake depth and frequency, and volcanic activity around the world.
Teacher notes and student activities:
Experienced presenters teach a wide range of topics
Earth and Environmental Science
Age group: Year 11/12
Earth and Environmental Science students can be provided with experiences tailored to the needs of their class. This may include visiting behind the scenes areas of Geoscience Australia and specialist presentations by practising geologists and geoscience professionals to look deeper into relevant earth science topics.
Reference book: Shaping a nation
Teacher notes and student activities:
Specialist programs with resident geoscientists
As well as general school programs, we can tailor programs to suits your curriculum needs. We are more than happy to cater your visit to the topic or style that suits you.
