Classroom resources

Feature story about the Newcastle earthquake – one of the most significant natural disasters in Australia's history.

Map in a poster showing 50 years of earthquakes in Australia to 2014.

Learn about the geology of Canberra through fossils nominated for the A.C.T fossil emblem including trilobites, brachiopods and graptolites. Interactive exhibit.

Booklet and geological map that uses a complex geological map and shows ways geological information can be displayed; use after An Introduction to Geological Maps - the Mt Todd Map Kit. (Legacy product)

Booklet that explains how to read and interpret a geological map including how different geological features appear on a map. (legacy product)

Booklet that explains scale, distances, directions, map projections, latitude and longitude, grid references, legends and contours. (legacy product)

This combined teacher guide and student activity uses satellite imagery from the Digital Earth Australia portal to track landscape changes over time.

This teacher guide introduces ŮŮÊÓƵearthquake data, and contains student activities.

Activities for primary and secondary students about living and working in Antarctica, including a codebreaking activity.

Poster featuring satellite image of Antarctica and geological history of the continent.

Interactive exhibit about the history of ŮŮÊÓƵactivities in Antarctica.

Astronomical information (including sunrise and sunset times)

Reference poster - evolution of life, palaeogeography, sea level, climate change, minerals.

Information on terminology and language around marine jurisdictions, Australia's marine jurisdiction, Law of the Sea and marine maps.

A guide to Australian maritime boundaries such as the EEZ and how they are determined.

Map showing Australia's Maritime Jurisdiction around the Australian Continent, not including Cocos Island, subantarctic territories or the Australian Antarctic Territory.

Map showing all of Australia's Maritime Jurisdiction including external Territories and the Australian Antarctic Territory.

A comprehensive 52 page colour booklet exploring the geological history of Australia.

A comprehensive booklet exploring Australia's Coasts. Includes Australian case studies.

A wealth of primary and secondary teaching resources all available online.

Map portal providing information about Australian mineral deposits, mines and infrastructure.

Map showing Australian operating mines in 2022 on a generalised surface geology background.

Poster showing map of earthquakes in Australia 2014-15 with a background of earthquakes during the previous 10 years.

Downloadable poster showing earthquakes during one year and across ten years, in Australia. Suitable for analysing earthquake distribution patterns in Australia.

Interactive exhibit about rocky and stony meteorites, tektites, impact craters and imagery of specimens from around Australia.

Interactive exhibit showing opals and opalised fossils from the National Mineral and Fossil Collection.

Video fly-through around the coast of Australia showing the major topographic features of the seafloor.

Interactive exhibit about the Broken Hill lead-zinc-copper ore deposit: its history and unique mineral specimens.

Satellite image showing burnt land and the fire front during the 2003 Canberra bushfires.

An interactive online quiz using satellite images of Australian capital cities.

Full colour information and activities about drilling beneath Antarctic ice and the life forms discovered.

Formation and features of Australian coastal landscapes. Part of the geography video series Landforms and Landscapes (ABC Education).

Download these images and use your coloring skills to colour in dinosaurs, volcanos, fossils and more.

Information about the work of ŮŮÊÓƵto support preparations for natural hazards.

Instructions on how to create your own to-scale geological time scale for three distances.

Decades of satellite imagery shows the proportion of time there is water at the surface in one year or over decades.

Formation and features of Australian deserts. Part of the geography video series Landforms and Landscapes (ABC Education).

The density test is one of the techniques used in identifying minerals.

The Digital Earth Australia platform is an online interactive map providing access to decades of satellite data with a diverse range of applications.

Information about Australia's dimensions, sizes and border lengths of the continent, states and offshore territories.

Theoretical geological cross section from the ocean through a mountain range to inland plains.

Poster describing each of the elements on a geological map. (legacy product)

Explore GIS, spatial thinking and mapping with these ESRI worksheets and lesson plans for secondary student.

Poster showing a satellite image of each state. Many show natural hazards.

Introductory video on the rock cycle - suitable for high school students and adults.

Introduction to tectonic plate movements and impacts on the Earth's surface. Part of the geography video series Landforms and Landscapes (ABC Education).

Extensive list of inquiry activities with explanations for teachers.

This video introduces the concepts of earthquake monitoring using seismometers and seismographs.

Link to a site providing access to seismometer recordings from around the world. EarthScope also has extensive teaching resources.

A comprehensive booklet exploring earthquakes: causes, measurement, distribution and impacts. Includes Australian case studies.

Article by GA staff considering the 2018 revised National Seismic Hazard Assessment and implications for emergency management.

32 page booklet about seismic activity in the ACT region.

Website showing recent earthquakes analysed by the National Earthquake Alerts Centre.

Making edible versions of rocks, crystals and fossils can be fun.

A quarterly email newsletter for teachers of science and geography in Australian schools.

Our seafloor is vast, fascinating, but relatively unexplored. Learn how marine scientists make maps of the seafloor and what these maps are used for.

Comprehensive teacher notes with student activities.

Learn about field sketches, surveys and onsite data collection. Part of the geography video series Landforms and Landscapes (ABC Education).

Through this interactive exhibit explore the colours of rocks that get excited under ultraviolet light.

Fossil shells can tell us about past environments. This video presents examples of shell fossils that help us to understand where oceans were located in Australia millions of years ago.

Black and white booklet about fossils, fossilisation and major fossil groups. (Legacy product)

Australia's location information has been updated to global standards allowing for more accurate positioning for Australian applications like smartphones and farming.

Through this interactive exhibit view some of the most valuable gem and mineral specimens held by Geoscience Australia.

Instructions on how to geocache together with spatial activity ideas for the classroom.

Dimensions of States and Territories, Australia compared to other countries, border lengths.

Geoscience Australia's Geological TimeWalk is a physical representation of geological time in the landscaped gardens of Geoscience Australia.

Travel along the Geological TimeWalk using this interactive 3D tour. (Legacy version)

A bookmark featuring the geological timescale. Suitable to print on A4 paper.

A simple to-scale geological time scale to print and display.

Poster comparing the concepts in the computer game Minecraft with science/geology.

Poster entitled 'More Geology of Minecraft'.

Host an interactive class-wide Geoscience quiz or use the questions as research prompts.

Through this interactive exhibit explore what glass is made of and how is it created in the natural world. See obsidian, fulgurite and tektites.

PDF download of the gravity anomaly map of the Australian region (large file).

Information about underground water, groundwater in Australia and the Great Artesian Basin.

Three short videos on groundwater resources in Timor, hydrogeology and vulnerability.

Explore important concepts about groundwater which includes First Nations Australian perspectives.

Interactive map with detailed information about significant earthquakes in Australia.

Geological time scale, palaeogeographic maps and illustrations of life forms over time.

Through this interactive exhibit view a range of radioactive specimens that are too hot to handle!

A series of experiments that enhance student understanding of porosity and permeability as it relates to groundwater.

Feature story describing the largest recorded earthquake that happened off Chile in 1960 and sent a tsunami across the Pacific Ocean that was recorded in Australia.

Impacts on water, erosion processes, landscapes and more. Part of the geography video series Landforms and Landscapes (ABC Education).

Investigate the expansion rate of water to ice and how this relates to weathering of rocks in the environment.

Interactive exhibit that explores minerals and their properties such as hardness and streak.

Preparing for fieldwork - research questions and reports. Part of the geography video series Landforms and Landscapes (ABC Education).

Learn about fossils in this behind-the-scenes visit to the Commonwealth Palaeontological Collection.

Short video that introduces the concept of tectonic plates using a tectonic plates puzzle.

Australia is a unique continent. This short video introduces the physical geography of Australia using a colourful topographic map.

The distinctive landform features associated with limestone rock weathering e.g. sinkholes.

Access a Digital Earth Australia data viewer with over 30 years of satellite imagery showing how Australia's land, vegetation and waterbodies have changed over time.

Earth's physical features can be classified into landscapes and landforms. Coastal, mountain, desert and riverine landscapes have identifying landforms . Part of the geography video series Landforms and Landscapes (ABC Education).

Colour brochure about landslide awareness and what to do in unstable areas.

A comprehensive booklet exploring landslides. Includes Australian case studies.

An A4 paper model, ready to cut out and assemble into a 3D model of a landslide.

Poster showing earthquakes in Australia greater than magnitude 4.5 over the course of 55 years. It is interesting to compare the spatial distribution with the annual distribution of events of all sizes.

A3 PDF of the magnetic intensity map of Australia.

Hands-on activity to create a 'fossil' out of Plaster of Paris. Explore the difference between a body and trace fossil.

This teacher guide explains how to set a micro:bit (small programable computer) up as a mini seismometer.

Hands-on activity to create a 'rock' using simple household materials. Explore how sediments are cemented into rocks.

Compact colour reference map of Australia showing major cities, roads, rail and topography.

Compact colour reference map of Australia showing major cities, roads, rail and topography.

Booklet with instructions on how to read and use topographic maps. Download or purchase the handy booklet.

Student activity exploring the depth and hardness of the sea floor using sonar. Real datasets are analysed in the activities.

Maps of Australia (including black-line outline maps and report maps).

Poster highlighting the importance of minerals and elements in building and maintaining our everyday modern lives.

A self-checker to help identify if you have a meteorite.

Learn about the many minerals, both common and rare, that are essential for modern technology and renewable energy using this interactive exhibit.

Webpages about metals mined in Australia, mineral sands and Australian gems.

Special features of the Kosciuszko National Park landscape and its importance to people for thousands of years. Part of the geography video series Landforms and Landscapes (ABC Education).

The ways that mountain landscapes form and Australia's Great Dividing Range. Part of the geography video series Landforms and Landscapes (ABC Education).

Comprehensive publication that provides an overview of rapid onset hazards in Australia, impact on communities and risk evaluation.

A4 paper model, ready to print, cut out and assemble into a 3D model of a nautilus.

This teacher guide introduces the Digital Earth Australia portal in the context of Australian natural hazards.

Explore our online exhibits, individual images and virtual tours of the National Mineral Collection and ŮŮÊÓƵTimeWalk via Google Arts & Culture.

Poster (A2) showing a simple rock cycle diagram and features of igneous, sedimentary and igneous rocks.

Outline maps of Australia - black and white. State boundaries and capital cities or coastline only.

OzCoasts provides comprehensive information about Australia's coast, including its estuaries, coastal waterways and climate change impact.

Interactive map showing how Australia has changed through time including changing land, marine and coastal depositional environments.

38 minute talk about the little known, but significantly large, Petermann Ranges event and how it was analysed. Dr Dan Clark.

Search for a place name in Australia using the Gazetteer of Australia.

Introduction to the theory of plate tectonics; includes evidence and student activities (b & w legacy product).

Paper model of a globe showing tectonic plates, ready to cut out and assemble on a basketball.

A4 paper model showing tectonic plates, ready to cut out and assemble onto a tennis ball.

Learn the basics of positioning technology and global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) that help us pinpoint where we are and where we want to go.

A4 paper model, ready to print, cut out and assemble into a 3D model of a fossil pterosaur.

PDF A3 and A0 version of the radiometric map of Australia.

Four part large format maps of Australia for printing and wall display.

This short video introduces rocks from volcanoes and their features using some of the samples in the ŮŮÊÓƵEducation Centre.

Poster showing satellite images of the bushfires in Victoria, February 2009.

Poster showing satellite imagery across Australia. Introduction to sensors, true and false colour, and applications of Earth observing satellite data.

‘Crib sheets’ that summarise talks and provide easy access links to each part of the videos about seismic and tsunami hazards, and social vulnerability wrt floods.

This card is useful for analysis of sediments - size, roundness, sorting.

Explore the concept of lava viscosity and influence on volcanic cone shape by experimenting using cornflour slime.

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 outlines seven clear targets and four priorities for action to prevent new and reduce existing disaster risks.

National bushfire monitoring system showing hotspots for emergency service managers across Australia.

A4 paper model, ready to print, cut out and assemble into a 3D model of a fossil serendipaceratops.

Illustrated book on the geological evolution of Australia through the lens of human impacts. Available to download on line or purchase hardcopy.

Australia and the Australian people: geography, geological heritage and the people.

Australia in time and space: geology of the continent, flora, fauna and landscapes.

Living Australia: isolation from other large continental masses has shaped flora and fauna.

Out of Gondwana: economic benefits of having been part of Gondwana in the form of fossil fuels.

Old, flat and red: Australia's distinctive landscape, flatness, rivers and regolith.

Living on the edge: The highly diverse costal margin has influenced the pattern of settlement in Australia.

Groundwater: water availability for crops, farms and cities is underpinned by the knowledge of geology.

Foundations of wealth: Mineral wealth in Australia and the geological processes that created it.

Sustaining Australia's wealth: geological stability has created bulk commodities in iron ore, bauxite, coal and gas.

Deep heat: geothermal energy could supply Australia's future electrical power needs.

Advance Australia Fair: the opportunities and challenges that Australian geology creates for the future of this nation.

An A4 paper model, ready to cut out and assemble into a 3D shield volcano.

Black and white booklet focussed on silicate minerals, their structure and properties. (Legacy product)

An A4 paper model, ready to cut out and assemble into a 3D model of a moving slump.

Explore different space education resources for preschool students all the way to university students.

Background information about magnitude and activity using spaghetti pasta.

Sim game in which the player prepares a community for five potential disaster types. Published by the UN and International Strategy for Disaster Reduction.

An A4 paper model, ready to cut out and assemble into a 3D strato volcano.

This short video explains how to conduct a streak test, a technique used to identify minerals using their powder colour.

This video introduces the concepts of weathering and erosion by investigating why river pebbles are often rounded.

Formation of rounded river pebbles is investigated using sugar cubes in a simulation of erosion processes.

JPEG or PDF download of surface geology map of Australia. A3 size.

An A4 page ready to cut out and assemble into a 3D model of the Sydney Basin.

Variety of Australian teaching resources for all ages based around natural hazards.

World map (showing elevation and ocean depth) split into pieces that are the shape of the tectonic plates. Cut out and fit together.

Feature story looking back on the events of 2004 and the catastrophic Indian Ocean Tsunami.

How do some of the rocks in Minecraft form and behave in real life? This short video discusses bedrock, obsidian and redstone using real rock samples and references to the game.

Short video about work to provide more accurate, reliable and instant positioning across Australia.

Purity, value and properties of gold (b & w legacy product).

Learn about geological time, radioactive decay curves, fossilisation and dating (b & w).

Print 1:50 000, 1:100 000, 1:250 000 and 1:1 million scale Australian topographic maps.

This poster depicts land height and seafloor features of Australia and its surrounds. Recommended for wall display.

A4 paper model, ready to print, cut out and assemble into a 3D model of a fossil triceratops.

A4 paper model, ready to print, cut out and assemble into a 3D model of a fossil trilobite.

A comprehensive booklet exploring tsunami. Includes Australian case studies.

Pamphlet on warning signs of impending tsunami and what to do in such an event.

Animations of tsunami caused by undersea earthquakes, landslides and volcanic eruptions.

Illustrated suite of educational products about earthquake, volcano and tsunami hazard awareness in PNG.

Landforms of limestone cliffs, coastal management and value to people. Part of the geography video series Landforms and Landscapes (ABC Education).

Learn about the formation of two desert landforms and their importance to traditional owners. Part of the geography video series Landforms and Landscapes (ABC Education).

Learn about earthquake monitoring in Australia through a visit to the National Earthquake Alerts Centre where seismic data from a global network of seismometers is received.

Learn how to access real satellite imagery, view recent earthquake data and much more in this series of tutorial videos exploring how to use the ŮŮÊÓƵData Portal in the classroom.

Learn about hazards from volcanoes. Students learn to think like Emergency managers through roleplay activity.

A comprehensive booklet exploring volcanoes. Includes Australian case studies.

Comprehensive information booklet for teachers including Australian landforms information and student activities.