The Isle of Wight is a small island in the English Channel, separated from the mainland coast of England by a stretch of water known as the Solent and located close to the international ports of Southampton and Portsmouth. This unique location has shaped its history from prehistoric times through to the present, connecting its local stories to global heritage narratives of exploration, innovation and empire.
This rich heritage is reflected in the diversity of museums and their collections on the Island, and over the last 3 years these museums have been working together on the Museums and Schools initiative. Supported by Arts Council England and funded through the Department of Education, this programme is creating learning resources for young people in the classroom that help their engagement with these histories.
The Earth Museum has teamed up with this partnership to build upon their work and help create a cohesive programme menu of activities for schools to choose from, complemented by a digital heritage map resource. We have identified 4 key curriculum-based themes to support students aged 10-14: Isle of Wight before 1066, Isle of Wight in the C18th and C19th, Science Innovators and Inventors, and Global Connections.
If you are interested in hearing more about this work, or in helping us shape these resources, please do get in touch at: enquiries@theearthmuseum.co.uk