Workshop Programme

Click here to download our Primary Schools programme 2008/9, here for our History Programme for Secondary Schools or here for our Science Programme for Secondary Schools.

Our education workshops take place in the museum galleries and our education rooms, the Lab and the Curia. All workshops are £2 per pupil and are suitable for a maximum group of around 30 pupils. They can be booked until the end of the 2008/9 school year.

 

Early Years

One hour
Our special Early Years workshop weeks are suitable for pre-school through to Year One pupils. They include craft and storytelling activities.

Key Stage 1 & 2

Medieval Maths

Full day, 23 - 27 June, 2008
These workshops explore the remains of St Mary's Abbey with a cross-curricular approach. Pupils use quadrants, make arches, handle rare medieval stained glass and make a single compass.

 

Digging the Romans!

One and a half hours
Pupils handle original and replica Roman objects to find out more about daily life in Roman York, with themes including fashion and leisure. They then become our site archaeologists, recording and interpreting their finds.

Slavery and Sustenance: Rich and Poor in Roman York

One and a half hours
Pupils become Roman characters and find the objects in the Roman Galleries that will help them do their particular job. Will they find freedom in Eboracum - or be destined to a life of slavery?

 

Fire Away! The Force of Roman Catapults

One and half hours
A chance to look at Roman warfare and technology and learn about the forces involved in Roman throwing machines. Students make catapults, buy materials from the Roman shop and see which catapult has the most firing power!

Digging the Vikings!

One and a half hours
All pupils will handle original as well as replica Viking objects to find out more about the daily life of the Vikings. Themes include Viking crafts and trade. Pupils not only learn how objects can tell stories about the past, but how they are discovered and excavated by archaeologists as well.

 

Voyages of Discovery

One and a half hours
Using costume and real Viking objects, pupils assume Viking identities of their own. They are then challenged to write an exciting Viking-style saga based on their imaginary voyage to Jorvik! This workshop supports history and literacy learning.

What's the Matter?

One and a half hours
Pupils investigate a selection of museum objects made of different materials. How old are they? What are they made from? How were they made? Pupils answer these questions then create their own mini exhibition in 'Ready, Steady, Curate!'

 

The Earth and Beyond

One and a half hours
Children take a trip to the museum's observatory to discover how astronomers from the past learned about the skies and see a working Victorian telescope. Hands-on activities include ordering the planets in our solar system.

Moving and Growing

One and a half hours
This session uses animal skeletons and bones to help children to investigate how the skeleton is related to movement and support. Children sort animals into groups, find similar animals on display and have the opportunity to handle a range of mystery 'bones'.

 

Minibeasts

One and a half hours
Students learn about the fascinating world of minibeasts and their adaptations by studying specimens from the museum's collection and through hands-on experiments and activities, including using microscopes, observing live specimens, building an interactive superbug using ICT and a minibeast hunt in the Museum Gardens (weather permitting).

Key Stage 3 & 4

Medieval Realms

One and a half hours
Students find out about medieval life through exploring the characters who lived and worked in St Mary's Abbey. Includes the opportunity to handle medieval objects, including pottery and glass.

 

Curriculum Support Sessions

One hour
We are always available to discuss how our collections could support your classroom studies in science, archaeology and astronomy. Call our group bookings number on 01904 650333 to see how we could best support your students.