Explore the Physics of Aboriginal Traditional Games

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have applied the forces of physics to their traditional games for thousands and thousands of years. This 16-slide teaching presentation enables you to explore three of these traditional games with your students, while also explaining the forces at work to make each game possible.

The traditional games of Australia’s First Nations peoples included in this slide deck are:

• Gurril boodthul (Euahlayi language) 
• Kai (Kalaw Lagaw Ya language) 
• Wimberoo (Euahlayi language) 

Through engaging with this presentation, your students will gain a deeper understanding of the push and pull forces involved in the traditional games played by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Australia.

Why Explore First Nation Games?

This slide deck provides the opportunity for your students to deepen their knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures by exploring the traditional games of gurril boodthul, kai and wimberoo. Incorporating traditional games from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures into the curriculum can be a powerful way to foster cultural awareness, respect and understanding among students. Exploring these games as a part of your unit on forces has the following benefits:

1. Promotes Cultural Understanding – Learning about traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander games provides students with a window into the rich and diverse cultures of Australia’s First Peoples. These games are an integral part of their heritage and help students gain a deeper understanding of their history, customs and way of life.
2. Emphasising Connection to the Land – As seen in the games included in this presentation, many traditional games are deeply rooted in the natural environment. Learning about these games fosters a connection to the land and underscores the importance of environmental sustainability.
3. Promoting Inclusivity – Learning about traditional games can promote inclusivity and diversity in the classroom. It allows First Nations students to share their cultural knowledge and provides an opportunity for non-Indigenous students to learn and celebrate this heritage together.

Download This Traditional Games Slide Deck

Use the Download button to access the Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.

Project the resource onto your screen and work through the slides as a class for a paperless science lesson!

More Resources for Your Lessons on Forces

If you’re looking for more ways to save time on your science planning, we are here to help! Click below for more teacher-aligned, student-centered resources to use in your science lessons on forces!

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