Visit our Education Centre

Last updated:7 July 2023

Visit our Earth Science Education Centre for a hands-on-experience

Students discover the earth sciences through curriculum-linked, hands-on activities that keep them captivated, focused and looking for more.

Virtual tour

Take the 360 virtual tour of our Education Centre.

An Earth Science Excursion

The Geoscience Australia Education Centre offers curriculum-linked education programs designed to immerse students in hands-on geoscientific activities. Facilitated by experienced educators, general and custom-made programs are available to suit individual group needs, ensuring the best possible outcome for students.

While at Geoscience Australia, students will make their mark by adding a layer to our 'visitor book' sediment columns and explore our hands-on specimens. Our education programs also utilises the National Mineral Collection which includes a piece of Moon rock on loan from NASA that students can actually touch!

Virtual visits and experiences for students can be accessed here.

Visiting for families

Families are most welcome to visit us too! Whilst the Education Centre is regularly booked by school groups, members of the public are welcome to visit when it is not in use. To check availability, please contact Reception on Ph: 02 6249 9111. You can also access our outdoor TimeWallk at anytime and can come inside and see amazing crystal displays as part of the National Mineral and Fossil Collection in the foyer between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

Our on-site education programs

Geoscience Australia's Education Centre offers programs directly linked to the Australian curriculum.

Weathering and Erosion

Age group: Year 3/4

The Weathering and Erosion program focuses on changes that occur in rocks and the landscape as a result of geological processes, and how fossils can give us clues to the past.

ACSU075: Earth's surface changes over time as a result of natural processes and human activity.

Hazards

Age group: Year 5/6

The Hazards program focuses on earthquakes and tsunamis. Students examine real earthquakes recorded by Geoscience Australia seismometers and learn how and where earthquakes and tsunamis are likely to happen. They investigate impacts of geological hazards and Geoscience Australia's role monitoring and warning about potentially hazardous events.

ACSSU096: Sudden geological changes or extreme weather conditions can affect Earth's surface.

Rocks and Minerals

Age group: Year 8

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, which help geologists identify minerals. The hands-on component includes identifying mystery rocks.

ACSSU153: Sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks contain minerals and are formed by processes that occur within Earth over a variety of timescales.

Plate tectonics

Age group: Year 9

The Plate Tectonics program concentrates on the mechanisms of plate tectonics and uses technology to examine the evidence that supports the theory including earthquake depth and frequency, and volcanic activity around the world.

ACSSU180: The theory of plate tectonics explains global patterns of geological activity and continental movement.

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 geoscience professionals to look deeper into relevant earth science topics.

As well as general school programs, we can tailor visits to suit your needs within the Earth Science or Geography curricula.

Book a visit with us

Bookings are essential for school group visits. Our calendar is open for up to two years and one month in advance. Please note that we no longer accept school visits on Fridays.

General school visits run for 1.5 hours with a maximum group size of 60 students.

All bookings for the Geoscience Australia Education Centre are now made through the Book Canberra Excursions (BCE) portal. Teachers and tour operators will need to register with BCE prior to making a booking.

If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact the Education Team on education@ga.gov.au or (02) 6249 9673.

Building opening times

Geoscience Australia is open weekdays during business hours and the Education Centre is open for bookings Monday to Thursday from 9 am to 5 pm. Please note that the Geoscience Australia building is closed over the weekend but the outdoor TimeWalk is accessible at any time.

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.

Due to the pandemic an additional cleaning regime has been implemented to ensure the health of staff and visitors is protected.

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.

Virtual exhibits

A limited number of virtual visit opportunities are available to booked school groups, please contact education@ga.gov.au directly.

View online exhibits using Google Arts and Culture. See exceptional samples from the National Mineral and Fossil Collection housed at Geoscience Australia including samples not on public exhibition. For further information see our virtual exhibits.

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