Questacon > Teachers > Exhibition Educational Resources > Other Exhibitions > Tasmanian Tiger

Tasmanian Tiger

The mystery of the thylacine

This exhibition was presetened by the Tasmanian Museum. It is no longer at Questacon.

Classroom activities

These activities cross many curriculum boundaries and can be used with a wide range of ages.

• Design a zoo habitat for a thylacine.
• Research the role of zoos and museums in the preservation of endangered species.
• Research other endangered or extinct Australian species.
• Debate the issue of the thylacine bounty, or set up a public meeting about it. Ensure that there is representation of the following groups: sheep farmers, Aboriginal people, European settlers and the Government.
• Look for stripe variations in thylacines as shown in photographs and other images.
• Make footprints and match them to the people who made them.
• Set up a scene or an event, then ask students to recall what they saw. Compare recollections and reality.
• Retell the thylacine story.
• Write the diary of the last existing thylacine, the sad animal in the zoo.
• Write the front page story to go with the next verified sighting of a thylacine.
• Make a thylacine mask or costume.
• Make a model thylacine.
• Use the thylacine image or stripe pattern to design a logo, clothing material or other object.
• Research the legislation that may impact on extinction.
• Discuss the likely economic impact of thylacine rediscovery.
• Search the world wide web.