Pacific Explorers

Investigate Pacific migration, navigation, and voyaging vessels by exploring our Pacific exhibitions. Get hands-on by trying virtual reality and 3D modelling.

  • Learning areas and strands Social Sciences, Science, Technology, Pacific Studies
  • Education type Education visit
  • Duration 2 hours
  • Suitable for Years 4–10
  • Cost $6.50 per student (free for teachers and parent helpers)
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During the session your students will:

  • Explore our exhibition Tangata o le Moana: The Story of Pacific People in New Zealand
  • Understand that Pasifika peoples have been Masters of design, construction, navigation, astronomy, meteorology, and marine science for thousands of years
  • Understand that to migrate to a new island takes planning and preparation and Pacific explorers took everything that was precious to them on their journeys
  • Appreciate that innovation is continuous and how new tools and materials create opportunities and challenges for design and manufacture
  • Practice 3D design skills using Tinkercad to manipulate, transform and arrange 3D shapes to create their own double-hulled sailing vessel inspired by Pacific vaka in the exhibition.

Digital vaka (canoe) displayed on top of a table via a screen

Caption

AR vaka (canoe) created by school student using Tinkercad. Photo by Donald James. Te Papa