Crystal Forward is the Education Coordinator at the History Trust of South Australia.
History doesn’t have to live in the past. It can be a thrilling, hands-on adventure. That’s the philosophy behind the History Trust of South Australia’s education programs, designed to spark curiosity and help students connect with the stories that shaped our state.
At the helm of these programs is Crystal Forward, Education Coordinator at the History Trust. She brings a wealth of experience, having taught secondary English, run online classes, homeschooled overseas, and served on her local historical society committee. “I love my work; developing resources and programs that support teachers and inspire students to connect with our state’s history,” Crystal says. She’s also a mum of three, which gives her a practical perspective on what engages young learners.
One of the Trust’s most exciting programs for older students is Ghosts. “We recognised that high school students were an underserved cohort within our existing school programs. We wanted to create something that tapped into their natural curiosity and independence. Our team envisioned a program where they could explore the museum, investigate clues, and piece together the story of a ‘ghostly’ character, all while building their historical source analysis skills. The ghost theme provides a fun hook; a few light theatrical touches make the program engaging and playful rather than scary.”
In Ghosts, students become detectives, working in small groups with real and fictional sources and museum objects to uncover the stories of six ‘ghosts’ from South Australia’s past. Themes include sea migration, shipwrecks, trade unions, quarantine, the colonial navy, and leisure, with two First Nations stories in development. Students use historical thinking skills to help each ghost resolve the issue keeping them from rest.
Supported by a teacher resource pack, the program aligns with the Year 9 History curriculum while building skills like source analysis and comparing perspectives.
Learning at the History Trust isn’t your typical museum visit. “We believe that learning should be hands-on, experiential and student-centred,” Crystal says. Programs are immersive, engaging, and delivered by passionate staff, and there are plenty of online resources for regional and homeschooled kids.
Discover more at: education.history.sa.gov.au
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