School exhibits 'living museum'

Published on Thursday 27 August 2009 09:43

FOR most children, doing a project on ancient Egypt or exotic animals would involve a trip to the library or a search for facts on the internet.

But pupils at an Edinburgh primary have all the information they need right on their doorstep thanks to the creation of the city's only in-school "living museum".

As well as artefacts, costumes, national dress, art, toys and household objects from across the globe, the children also get regular visits to their "zoo lab" from animals including barn owls, pythons, ferrets and stick insects.

Echline Primary, in South Queensferry, has created a Living Links museum in an old library in the school after successfully applying to the Big Lottery Fund for 10,000.

It has allowed the school to collate and display all the items it has collected over the years through its links with schools in Kenya, Austria and Switzerland for the children to use as study aides.

The museum also houses items donated to the school by parents, local history groups and museums, and features separate areas on Vikings, ancient Egypt and Africa.

It also has its own dressing up area, complete with costumes from all over the world.

The school uses the museum's artefacts to tie in with the curriculum and give children a hands-on experience to help them with their learning.

Echline Primary is also offering the resource – believed to be the only one in Edinburgh – to other schools in the area, as well as local community groups.

Patricia Stefanovic, the school's business manager, said:

"Over the years we have built up a collection of costumes and artefacts that have just been stored away and we thought it would be great having a learning museum which brought together all of these things.

"We got in touch with local museums and historical societies and they have given us things on loan to add to the collection.

"It's a permanent fixture in the school now and we hope to keep adding to the collection and to make it available to local groups.

"Children love it and it's really popular.

"We also have a zoo lab and have a woman who brings in animals and the children get to hold them and interact with them.

"Whatever we are doing curriculum-wise ties in with Living Links.

"If the children are studying Egyptians then the area is set up for them to use."

The Living Links museum is being officially launched on 24 September at the school by Hermione Cockburn from BBC's Coast.

City education leader Marilyne MacLaren, who will be attending the launch, said: "This is a fantastic example of some of the exciting and imaginative work going on in our schools across the city."