Pacific Explorers

Investigate Pacific migration, navigation, and voyaging vessels. Get hands-on, try virtual reality, and visit an exhibition.

  • Learning areas and strands Social Sciences, Science, Engineering, Technology, Pacific, History
  • Education type Education visit
  • Duration 2 hours
  • Suitable for Years 3–10
  • Next available Available
  • Cost $6.50 per student (teachers and parent helpers go free)
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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.

Please note, an educator will be in touch with you prior to your visit to understand how we can best tailor this program to suit your class and their learning needs.

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