Tuesday, 11 July 2023
Children from primary schools right across the East Midlands are being given the opportunity to become archaeologists for a day thanks to a unique ‘hands on’ learning programme.
Creswell Crags, the internationally important Ice Age site on the Nottinghamshire-Derbyshire border, has partnered with the award-winning University of Nottingham Museum to offer the exciting new opportunity to visiting primary school groups at the University Park campus.
The Changes in Britain from Stone Age to Iron Age learning programme combines Creswell Crags’ expertise on the early Stone Age with the University of Nottingham Museum’s collection of prehistoric artefacts, resulting in a hands-on experience that perfectly complements the Key Stage 2 topic. The children will have the chance to see real artefacts from thousands of years ago up close, before learning how to carry out their own excavations using replica artefacts and tools from the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age. They’ll also experience interactive, hands-on learning about archaeology, prehistoric art and changes to prehistoric diet, tools and clothing. Children will be able to explore their own creativity too, by creating their own clay figurines and woven textiles.
I learnt how people lived and what they wore in the Stone Age. I like crafting and building stuff, so I liked it when we were doing the clay and the art.
My favourite bit was the clay because I really enjoy making things. And the painting – I got paint all over my hand!
Paul Baker, Executive Director at Creswell Heritage Trust explains: “Creswell Crags has long been challenged by capacity issues due to our site restrictions and the idea of us delivering learning at another site is something that was formed during the pandemic lockdown and met with enthusiasm by the University of Nottingham. Neither of us had any awareness of a similar partnership and we have, therefore, created the arrangement from scratch. It is extremely rewarding to see pupils joining our staff at the University to learn about human activity during pre-history.”
This collaboration between the University Museum and Creswell Crags has provided a wonderful opportunity to bring our different resources together and provide a really special offer for school groups which enables them to be immersed into the past.
Sarah Lee, Learning Manager at Creswell Crags, says: “It’s so exciting, as a Learning Team, to be able to bring our experience teaching children about the Stone Age to a new environment. We have hundreds of school groups visit Creswell Crags every year, so it’s wonderful to be able to engage even more children in such a great location."
The University of Nottingham Museum has a fantastic prehistoric collection, and the outdoor spaces here really create the feeling of travelling back in time, so I think it’s a great opportunity for teachers to bring their children and give them a hands-on experience.
Located on University Park Campus in Nottingham, the University of Nottingham Museum is an award-winning museum that holds a collection of regional archaeology covering 250,000 years. The museum contains objects that tell a fascinating story of everyday life over this long period. With activity days based both within the museum itself, and outdoors at the nearby Highfields Park, visiting school children are emersed in learning what we know about prehistory, and how we know about the changes that took place. Sessions include mock archaeological excavations, clay pot making, spear throwing, Ice Age shelter building, and even milking a Neolithic goat!
Activity days are available on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays during Nottinghamshire term time for groups of up to 30 children. More information about the activity days is available at www.creswell-crags.org.uk/education/uni-of-notts. Bookings and enquiries can be made by phoning Creswell Crags on 01909 720378 ext. 209 or emailing uon.learning@creswell-crags.org.uk.
Story credits
Images from Creswell Heritage Trust
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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