Red Ochre
Red Ochre aims to teach some of the basic chemistry and culture behind traditional paint use and production.
Summary
The program's main page consists of highlighted elements related to traditional Aboriginal materials used in paint production eg, ochre, water, resin. The program will enable the student to explore an Australian bush landscape in three major ways;
Grab: The student can take various elements out of the landscape and place them in a mixing pot. This is with the aim of creating a pigment to be used in painting a picture.
Chemistry: The student can click on the same elements to learn about that element's chemical role in creating pigments. Perhaps there will be a chemical name.
Culture: The student can click on the elements to learn about their cultural use and meaning. Perhaps there will be the option of hearing the name of the element in a local Aboriginal language.
Multimedia and Interactivity
Due to the expense and difficult nature of chemicals (danger, mess, level of understanding required to handle), a multimedia format allows these issues to be avoided. Multimedia allows the various components in this exhibit to be integrated into a cohesive whole. Additionally, the user can approach the program in ways appropriate to their aims and interests. The user has the potential to explore any or all of the three major functions.
Learning Outcomes
To gain an understanding of;
the elements required to create pigments
the chemical role of these elements
the cultural use and meaning of these elements
Additionally to gain pleasure in creating a painting from pigments that the user has created individually. And for those inexperienced in computing to have a positive experience in using computers.
Audience
This program has been aimed at upper primary to lower secondary school children with a broad appeal to older audiences. It has been designed to be one item within a Questacon style Indigenous Technologies exhibition. It will complement hands on exhibits on simple physics concepts such as levers in woomeras and digging sticks, centre of balance in baskets on heads, aerodynamics in boomerangs, acoustics in leaf whistles.
The program could also be used in schools or at home within a chemistry, cultural studies or art class learning environment.
Cost
It is hoped that the cost of the program will be kept below $50. This will hopefully keep it accessible to schools and individuals.