Are your kids budding scientists? Think they’ve got what it takes to complete our ‘ScienceQuest’? Or do they just love dinosaurs?!
Peterborough Museum will be turning children into scientists when the historic building becomes a laboratory this February half term, February 11-15. Children will be given the chance to use state-of-the-art technology to complete a ‘ScienceQuest’ challenge, see the Museum’s lab (not usually open to the public!) plus visitors will be able to see their famous dinosaurs roaming the Museum again!
These exciting science events celebrate Peterborough Museum’s new partnership with the Natural History Museum, for the Real World Science Project (RWS). The project is a collaboration of museums with natural history collections that aims to enrich science teaching and learning for students aged 10-18 years.
Suitable for all the family – and all for free thanks to the Real World Science project – the half term activities will allow visitors to explore the ‘colour of nature’ and handle real life specimens to discover how we are ‘99% ape’. Plus staff from the Natural History Museum will be on hand to answer all your questions. There’ll also be opportunities to get creative, with a multitude of craft sessions exploring camouflage, the link between science and art, and a dinosaur’s love of underpants!
Funded by Arts Council England through the Schools and Museums programme, the three-year RWS project aims to increase the number of schools visiting museums and galleries. As the regional partner for the East of England, Peterborough Museum will be unlocking the potential of its extensive natural history collection.
Deputy Leader of Peterborough City Council, Councillor Matthew Lee – who’s also a trustee for the Museum and its collection, said: “As well as offering inspiring, fun and engaging opportunities to our secondary school students, the Real World Science project addresses a very important national issue: central Government has made it clear that hi-tech industry will be vital in securing our economic growth, which is impossible without high calibre science graduates. By encouraging young people to study science further and pursue science-related careers, initiatives like this have a vital part to play.
“As one of Peterborough’s most popular attractions, the Museum is already a source of great pride for Vivacity. The fact that it has been selected to collaborate with The Natural History Museum on such an important project shows the increasing recognition it is receiving as a centre of excellence for heritage and learning. It’s hugely encouraging for everyone involved.”
Go Ape for Nature! Will run from February 11-15, 10am-5pm at Peterborough Museum.
For more information on February half term and the Real World Science project, call 01733 864 663 or email museum@vivacity-peterborough.com.
To arrange a schools visit, contact Pam Russell, Education and Learning Manager at Peterborough Museum by calling 01733 864701 or by emailing pam.russell@vivacity-peterborough.com.
Visit the website at www.vivacity-peterborough.com
Photo credit: Lead image by John Moore