The #heartofgold Discovery Trail will be launched in Perth on Saturday 7 October, which is part of a long-term community engagement program aimed at educating and engaging the wider community on the rich history and importance of Australia's gold industry, with a strong focus on educating at a grass roots level.
Earlier this year, the Gold Industry Group engaged Educated by Nature to design lesson plans for primary and high school students linked to the curriculum, in addition to the virtual gold trail.
"We are very supportive of the Gold Industry Group's community engagement project as it has the potential to support educators to truly engage their students in local history and develop a true sense of place," said Trudi Bennett, Educated by Nature Director.
"We are excited to see the development of such an interactive and engaging tool (gold trail) that will encourage students and families to engage in local history and the outdoors in a new and exciting way that supports real life, hands on interaction with mandated Australian Curriculum priorities," said Ms Bennett.
The #heartofgold Discovery Trail will take you back in time to the early gold rushes with augmented reality, remarkable audio stories, fun widgets, vivid videos, timeless photos and interactive games via the Heart of Gold app. The self-guided walking trail starts at Elizabeth Quay and ends at The Perth Mint. Trailblazers will receive a commemorative medallion on completion of the trail and could strike it lucky and win a real Ramelius Resources gold nugget!
Earlier this year the Gold Industry Group took part in a Teacher Professional Development Day with the Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia (AISWA). Teachers had the opportunity to test the #heartofgold Discovery Trail and provide feedback.
“Part of our vision for this community engagement project is to educate and engage future generations. We've received overwhelming positive feedback from the education sector and the community and we look forward to continuing to work closely with schools across Australia as the program evolves,” said Kelly Carter, Gold Industry Group Vice Chair and Gold Fields Australia Vice President of Legal and Compliance.
“The #heartofgold Discovery Trail offers a fun and educational experience, and from next month we will be offering lesson plans linked to the trail and Australian Curriculum for Year 5 and 9 students to all schools across the State,” said Mrs Carter.
On Friday 6 October the Gold Industry Group will be demonstrating the trail and program at the AISWA Humanities and Social Sciences Conference to around 100 history and geology teachers. An all expenses paid #heartofgold Discovery Trail class excursion will also be donated.
The Heart of Gold App is free and will be available to download from 30 September 2017. Lesson plans will also be available to download on our website from 30 September 2017.
Register to attend the launch of Perth's virtual #heartofgold Discovery Trail at Elizabeth Quay on Saturday 7 October from 10am.
THANKS TO OUR Trail SPONSORS THE PERTH MINT, GOLD FIELDS AUSTRALIA, RAMELIUS RESOURCES, CITY OF KALGOORLIE-BOULDER, NORTHERN STAR RESOURCES, Gold Road Resources AND MINING EDUCATION AUSTRALIA.