WHAT WE DO!
As part of its ongoing commitment to increase the general appreciation of the nation's cultural heritage amongst the public, Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna has devised the "Hands-on Heritage Project". This project is aimed at providing students of various ages with an innovative way of learning more about their heritage, through direct activities from those usually employed in the classroom.
To further this aim, participants are engaged in a variety of extra-curricular activities directly linked to the respective heritage site where the session is held. At present this service is being offered by trained staff at the Malta at War Museum, Kordin III Neolithic Temple Complex, Fort Rinella and its 100 ton gun, Notre Dame Gate and the Saluting Battery. During a typical session, a student is offered the opportunity to try and learn some of the patterns of life, crafts and skills of the original builders/users of the respective building.
At Fort Rinella in Kalkara, school parties are introduced to similar aspects of late 19th century military life. They will be offered hands-on sessions in visual military signalling using semaphore flags and heliographs as well how to lift heavy weights using a pulley. Soldiers' uniforms and equipment are brought to life by displaying such items through LIVE re-enactments. Also one may learn and witness how a cannon works and is fired!
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At the Malta at War Museum in Vittoriosa, students will venture into the turbulent daily life of the Maltese in wartime Malta. In doing this they will experience aspects of the daily chores that people living in air raid shelters had to perform daily, handle period artefacts and carry out basic science exercises that will help them better understand how people managed to live despite all the hardships of the time. In addition, they will view an original movie from the time “Malta GC” which provides a wider dimension to the subject including a time-line of the war in Malta. The students have also the chance to re-enact the life of particular civilians during an air raid or else daily life during the war by handling original gas masks and hand held sirens.
At Notre Dame Gate in Vittoriosa, students are introduced to the basic elements of historic fortifications their design, building and functionality. One may also combine a short guided walk along part of the Cottonera lines where all the surviving elements of fortification design still survive.
At the Saluting Battery in Valletta, school groups are ventured into the complex world of historic artillery, learning about metallurgy, the science of trajectory and lifting, the science and chemistry involved in projecting a shell and many other aspects related to the subjects. Also, they will be introduced to the fascinating theme of time measuring, explaining how man took centuries to solve the riddle of longitude, show some of the tie measuring instruments used and of course try them out.
Activities of this sort are imperative in improving public awareness about our national heritage. They are also very useful in making this subject very attractive and enjoyable to students. The power of hands-on methods has long been proven to be effective and leaves a lasting impression on anyone especially them.
Visiting archaeological and historical sites is obviously linked with Social Studies in late Primary education and History and Environmental Studies in Secondary education but not exclusively. There have been several studies showing how various subjects and disciplines can be applied when visiting historical sites. Students will apply what they learnt in class and get the chance to experience the disciplines they learn in action, what today we call applied education. Subjects like Mathematics, Physics, languages, Drama, Home Economics and others can all be followed in our heritage sites. If you would like to pursue this opportunity contact our educational staff to discuss what can be done for your class!
Please Note:
Each visit complete with hands-on activities has a duration of about 2 hours. Guiding is provided by our resident custodians and education officers. Teacher packs are available and can be downloaded for free. Workshops may also be organised as these too are available.
Please do not hesitate to contact us!