Love to travel but don't have the time?  Does Australia seem too far away?  Well, let me offer you a taste of Australia direct from Down Under.

In this ongoing, bi-weekly, summer class I will be exploring all the wonderful, weird, and terrifying things Australia has to offer.  For those who love to travel but have not had an opportunity to come 'Down Under', come on this virtual journey with me as we explore the land and sea around this great island country.  You will learn geography and biology of the land, flora and fauna.  Learn how Australia became this island country we know it is now,  why most of the country is desert, how animals can survive in some of these harsh climates, names and special features of the beautiful Australian native trees (ie. flowering gums, callistemon, grevilleas) and of course, marsupials, species endemic to Australia.  Learn geography and all about the population of this great land (why so few), who are the people who live here, what is the capital and how is the country divided into States and Territories.  Learn the history of this land, from the Indigenous people and their division of land (there are over 250 different aboriginal peoples here, all with their own languages) to the explorers and colonists who have come since (who was really the first foreigner to arrive).  We will also explore the famous sights, manmade and natural, including the Sydney Opera House, Uluru, the Great Barrier Reef and more.

Answer questions like:
Why is it called the Great Australian Bight?
How were the 12 apostles formed (and why aren't there 12 now)?
What makes Uluru change color from dawn through the day and again at sunset?
What is the difference between a bandicoot and bilby?
What are marsupials and why are they so special?
Want to know more about the country with the most deadliest snakes?  
Is there really a bird-eating spider??  (And yes, there is.)
Is a platypus really a mammal that lays eggs??!!  Did you know they can be deadly???
Are you hungry enough to eat a witchetty grub?

Come with me as we explore the answers to these questions and so many more.  Every session we will have a focus of study; whether biology or geology, flora or fauna (sometimes both if they are a habitat species such as koalas and gum trees).  I will share stories from explorers or ancient tales or even childhood classics (Blinky and Bill), historical facts, scientific facts.  We will create art (paintings and pastel drawings) and entice the weary traveler to place Australia at the top of their list of places to see!  

Don't let the fact that we have 5 of the top 5 deadliest animals in the world (they'll get you on land and in the sea)...Australia is a fascinating country of deep history, gorge-ous geography, wild and immense deserts, animals like no where else and earth and a population of laid back, thong (that's a shoe) wearing people who will always welcome you with a G'day mate and a cuppa (that's a cup of tea).

Week of June 6th: Geography - how did it become an island
Week of June 13th: History  - look at different indigenous cultures, names and maps of the country from before foreign settlers, hear the creation stories of the indigenous peoples "The Rainbow Serpent"
Week of June 20th: History - Who was the first foreigner to come to Australia?  What did they leave behind and how did we know they were here?  History of the English in Australia.
Week of June 27th: Biology - Stromatolites and their 'kiss of life' and the Box Jellyfish, deadliest (most venomous) animal on our planet
Week of July 4th: Biology - Marsupials and Gum Trees
Week of July 11th: Stories from explorers and indigenous culture (find Chambers Pillar and more)
Week of July 18th: Warratahs 

This class is ongoing and does not add in content from previous sessions.  Students are welcome to join at any time.