Museum assists with education programmes
Apart from being a popular tourist attraction, the Dias Museum serves as an educational resource for schools and tertiary education institutions in a supportive and enriching way by presenting curriculum-based education programmes at the museum or at schools.
The museum presents guided tours of the museum displays and discussion-style education programmes with lessons and demonstrations, using museum objects and computerised presentations to schools.
These educational programmes and activities are generated from the knowledge and research of museum scientists and objects in the museum collections.
The museum is dedicated to helping teachers make their lessons even more effective, while the museum education staff also aim to make their lessons fun.
There are two educational programmes presented free of charge to schools. Even transport is paid for by the museum. These two programmes are: the local history of Mossel Bay (Grade 4) and archaeology (Grade 6-7).
"We all know that teaching must be stimulating and keeping learners in the classroom only is not effective teaching. Interested teachers can contact the Dias Museum for details of the programmes mentioned and to make bookings for their classes. If learners are not able to travel to the museum, the museum officials will travel to the school to present in the classroom," Barry Jooste from the museum says.
Educational programmes
1. Archaeology programme: Grade 5 / 7 (Social Sciences: History)
(DVD, powerpoint lesson with practical dig at the mock dig site)
2. Local history programme: Grade 4 (Social Sciences: History)
(Museum display/Interview/History of Mossel Bay with Dias caravel)
3. Medicinal plants: Grade 6 (SS: History/NS; Biology, Grade 10,11)
(Eight indigenous plants are introduced with practical activity of making a medicine)
4. San/Khoekhoen programme: Grade 5 (SS: History)
(Powerpoint: Lifestyle, food, beliefs and clothing and practical bracelet making)
5. Fossil programme: Grade 6 / 7 (SS: Geography and NS: Biology) (Powerpoint: Fossil formation and clay practical). Learners view and touch very old fossils.
6. Explorers and fortune hunters programme: Grade 6 (SS: History)
(Powerpoint: Dias, Da Gama, others and practical on caravel sailing boat)
7. The history of medicine: Grade 6 (SS: History)
(Powerpoint: Western, indigenous and traditional medicine: Barnard, Pasteur, Curie)
8. Slavery programme: Grade 7 (SS: History) (Powerpoint: Role play)
How to book
Schools contact the museum and book a date and programme. They confirm which programme they want the learners to attend by filling in the booking form on the internet: www. diasmuseum.co.za
No entrance fees are charged for the educational programmes.
Schools can then obtain permission from the department, supplying date and time. The WCED supports all the museum's educational programmes. Learners only bring their lunches and writing materials. Bookings are done on a first come, first served basis. Contact persons at the Dias Museum are Janette and Connie (044 691 1067 or fax 044 691 1915).