Embark on an epic monster hunt and follow the clues to find the monster hidden in the depths of the Museum. This multi-sensory session has been inspired by Michael Rosen’s classic story We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. 

Children will:  

• explore Museum objects using songs and role play  

• use imagination to travel across different landscapes from the big blue ocean to a tall rocky cliff 

• develop communication skills

Come with us into our amazing exploration galleries to learn about how explorers lives have been strangely similar and incredibly different across time. Find collections items in the galleries and handle replica objects to discover and compare the lives of explorers through time.

Pupils will:

• learn about explorers and think about of the problems they have to overcome to have a successful voyage
• make comparisons between different historic and modern explorers and discuss why they are similar and different
• Choose to investigate the voyages of Polar Explorers (Ernest Shackleton and modern Polar Scientist Prem Gil) or journeys around the world (Francis Drake and Astronaut Helen Sharman)
• develop historical skills of enquiry, communication and comparison, thinking how these explorers were similar or different

Ahoy me hearties! Meet female pirate Alice Leghorn and hear tales of her adventures on the high seas. For the full pirate experience, we encourage all children and teachers to come dressed in appropriate swashbuckling attire. 

Pupils will:  

• meet a female pirate who will teach them everything they need to know to succeed on the high seas  

• develop enquiry skills as they go on a treasure hunt around the Museum 

• collect ideas and inspiration for writing their own pirate stories. 

Immerse yourself in the Queen’s House galleries and learn how the sea has inspired spectacular artworks, past and present. Work alongside an artist educator and learn how to use experimental mark-making, texture and colour to create captivating impressions of the sea. 

Pupils will:  

• Learn about an artist studio and the tools artists use 

• Develop their observational drawing skills 

• Experiment with mark making to build light, shadow and texture 

• create their own art inspired by our spectacular collection. 

Dig up the past to examine Viking graves, vessels and artefacts, and step into the shoes of a Viking to discover how their seafaring talents took them far and wide across the globe. 

Pupils will:  

• investigate what made the Vikings unique as raiders, invaders and traders 

• handle replica artefacts and clothing to step into the shoes of a Viking  

• develop enquiry, reasoning and communication skills 

Set sail on an adventure to uncover the stories of Arctic explorers such as Roald Amundsen, Matthew Henson, Robert Peary and Olaudah Equiano. Investigate objects, diaries and artworks to unlock clues about the past. What can these sources tell us? What don’t they tell us? Navigating your way through our Polar Worlds Gallery you will discover how Inuit knowledge was essential for explorers to survive in extreme polar regions.  

Pupils will: 

• Carry out hands-on investigations in the gallery 

• Learn about significant polar explorers 

• Understand the geography and challenges of polar environments

• Discover the tools and equipment needed for a polar expedition.

N.B. Key Stage One teachers wishing to do a session on polar exploration please see Explorers Through Time above

All aboard RMS Titanic! Spend an action-packed day as a passenger or crew member on board the world’s most famous ship before it sinks to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. 

Pupils will:  

• investigate real objects and archival documents relating to the Titanic  

• immerse themselves as real characters from the ship and meet historical actor characters along the way  

• develop their imagination and literacy skills 

Voyage through our galleries with an artist educator to discover how contemporary Black artists such as Kehinde Wiley and Yinka Shonibare CBE convey important messages about diversity and citizenship in their work.  Analyse famous artworks up close and piece together the story of Olaudah Equiano to learn how he, and other Georgians, campaigned for equality and to make a big change. 

 Pupils will: 

• develop their observational drawing skills 

• analyse famous artworks 

• discuss topical issues linked to diversity and citizenship  

• broaden understanding of Black British History.