Bartolomeu Dias Museum

Educational Programmes

Current offerings for schools:

Museum Education and Outreach Programmes Introduction:

The museum is able to support both learners and educators in experiential learning by developing and providing access to curriculum-related museum programmes based on our exhibitions, collections as well as the vast body of knowledge (intangible) associated with them.

Please have a look at all our programmes on offer below. They are all:

  • dedicated to assist and strengthen our school educators’ lessons.
  • CAPS compliant.
  • presented by our museum education staff at the museum or school classroom.
  • offered/presented all year round.
  • Life values, reading, writing and numeracy orientated.
  • presented in all three official languages of the Western Cape.
  • Fun with hands-on interactive activities.
  • presented in a very unique fun museum environment.

Our museum education programmes are available for all primary, private and secondary schools in the Western Cape.

1. Local History Museum Educational Programmes

Details of the programme are:

  • Target audience: Grade 4, Social Sciences, History. It includes an interactive PowerPoint with quiz answer sheet about the first inhabitants of the area, how and why the town started, the development of the town and historical buildings.
  • Each learner completes the quiz answer sheet while listening to the PowerPoint presentation.
  • A guided tour of the museum focusing on the areas presented in the slideshow.
  • Video presentation.
  • A family take home leaflet for completion and entry to museum competitions.
  • It takes place at the school or museum and is about 90 minutes but can be tailored to the time available.
  • Presented during term 1 each year coinciding with the school curruculum.

2. The Medicinal Plants Museum Education Programme

Details of the programme are:

  • Target audience: Grade 6, Social Sciences (History)
    Natural Sciences: Biology, Grade 10 -12.
  • It includes a PowerPoint that introduces 8 indigenous plants that we find in our gardens that were used by the San and Khoekhoen people.
  • All eight plants medicinal value is explained in detail.
  • Hands-on activity with the making of a medicine using the leaves of one of the plants and tasting it.
  • A guided tour of the museum focusing on the medicinal plants travelling exhibition if available.
  • Presented at the school or museum.
  • It is about 90 minutes but can be tailored to the time available.
  • Presented during term 4 each year coinciding with the school curriculum.

3. The San/Khoekhoen Museum Education Programme

Details of the programme are:

  • Target audience: Grade 5, Social Sciences: History.
  • PowerPoint of the San and Khoe focusing on their clothing, diet, daily routine and beliefs.
  • Video presentation.
  • Hands-on activity: Rock painting as the San and Khoi children did it.
  • Exhibiting their rock paintings at the museum for a few weeks for parents to come visit and view.
  • Presented at the school or museum.
  • Duration: 90 minutes but can be tailored to the time available.
  • Presented during term 1 each year coinciding with the school curriculum.

4. The Fossil Museum Education Programme

Details of the programme are:

  • Target audience: Grade 5, Natural Sciences and Technology.
  • A PowerPoint presentation focusing on a basic understanding of how fossils form, and the scientific and technological tools that archaeologists use to find out about the past.
  • Video presentation.
  • Hands-on activity: Making an imprint fossil with clay, leaves and stones.
  • Highlight: Touching a real fossil if available at that specific museum.
  • Presented at the school or museum.
  • Duration: 90 minutes but can be tailored to the time available.
  • Presented during term 4 each year coinciding with the school curriculum.

5. Slavery Museum Education Programme

Details of the programme are:

  • A group discussion and report back.
  • Video presentation.
  • Viewing of the slavery travelling exhibition if available at specific museum.
  • PowerPoint presentation.
  • Hands-on activity: Role play using specifically connected vocabulary.
  • Presented at the school or museum.
  • Duration: 90 minutes but can be tailored to the time available.
  • Presented during term 3 each year coinciding with the school curriculum.

6. The Museum Display Museum Education Programme

Details of the programme are:

  • Target audience: Grade 4, Social Sciences: History.
  • A group discussion and report back.
  • Video presentation.
  • PowerPoint presentation regarding how to make your own mini museum display exhibition.
  • Hands-on activity: Identifying a museum object blindfolded by touch.
  • Group competition.
  • Taking a photo of the object and e-mailing it to the museum.
  • Presented at school or museum.
  • Duration: 90 minutes but can be tailored to the time available.
  • Presented during term 1 each year coinciding with the school curriculum.
    Information above: CAPS document, Intermediate phase, Social Sciences, p 20

7. The National Symbols Museum Education Programme

Details of the programme are:

  • Target audience: Grade 6, Social Sciences: History.

  • It includes an interactive PowerPoint with quiz answer sheet.

  • Each learner completes the quiz answer sheet while listening to the PowerPoint presentation. (Written activity)

  • Viewing of the National Symbols travelling exhibition if available at specific museum.

  • Video presentation with group discussion.

  • Hands-on fun activity: Flash cards running game.

  • Each attendee receives a family take home leaflet/handout for completion and entry to museum competitions.

  • Presented at school or museum.

  • Duration is 90 minutes but can be tailored to the time available.

  • Presented during term 3 each year coinciding with the school curriculum.

  • Written work of each learner is handed back to the educator for assessment and evidence files.

8. The “I am the flag” Museum Education Programme

Details of the programme are:

  • Target audience: Grade 6, Social Sciences: History.
  • It includes an interactive PowerPoint with quiz answer sheet.
  • Each learner completes the quiz answer sheet while listening to the PowerPoint presentation. (Written activity)
  • Viewing of the National Symbols travelling exhibition if available at presenting specific museum.
  • Video presentation with group discussion regarding video content.
  • Hands-on fun activity: A family take home leaflet/handout for completion and entry to museum competitions.
  • Presentation takes place at school or museum.
  • Duration is about 90 minutes but can be tailored to the time available.
  • Presented during term 3 each year coinciding with the school curriculum.
  • Written work of each learner is handed back to the educator for assessment and evidence files.

9. The National Orders Museum Education Programme

Details of the programme are:

  • Target audience: Grade 6, Social Sciences: History. Introduction of national orders using flash cards in groups.
  • It is presented in conjunction with our “National Symbols” travelling exhibition.
  • Group discussions.
  • It includes an interactive PowerPoint with quiz answer sheet.
  • Each learner completes the quiz answer sheet while listening to the PowerPoint presentation. (Written activity)
  • Viewing of the National Symbols travelling exhibition if available at specific museum.
  • Video presentation with group discussion.
  • Hands-on fun activity: Role play of national awards ceremony with video capturing using cellphones.
  • Presentation can be presented at school or museum.
  • Duration is about 90 minutes but can be tailored to the time available.
  • Presented during term 3 each year coinciding with the school curriculum.
  • Written work of each learner is handed back to the educator for assessment and evidence files.

10. The Dulcie September Museum Education Programme

Details of the programme are:

  • Target audience: Grade 9: Senior Phase, History.
  • It is presented in conjunction with our “Dulcie September” travelling exhibition.
  • Group discussions follow regarding: Dulcie September’s life as an activist and her contributions to the fight against apartheid?
  • Video presentation.
  • Hands-on fun activity: Completing a role play, re-enactment or time travel relating to any topics, themes or events as seen in the exhibition and making a video clip of this activity.
  • Presentation is presented at your local museum.
  • Duration is 90 minutes but can be tailored to the time available.
  • Presented during term 3 each year coinciding with the school curriculum.
  • Written work of each learner is handed back to the educator for assessment and evidence files.

11. The “Mandela’s in our Community” Museum Education Programme

Details of the programme are:

  • Target audience: Grade 4: History (Learning from leaders)
  • The programme starts by viewing the “Nelson Mandela” travelling exhibition in groups.
  • It is presented in conjunction with our “Nelson Mandela” travelling exhibition if available.
  • The first activity starts with the learners interviewing the invited guests at the museum. The guest speakers are all five community stalwarts (male and female) who have made immense contributions during their lives to the development of their communities like Mandela did. Before the interviews start the guests all introduce themselves by focusing on their lives and accomplishments.
  • Hands-on fun activity: Completing/writing a pledge. This pledge will be showcased at school on the “YOUNG COMMUNITY HERO/HEROINE WALL OF FAME”.
  • Duration is 120 minutes but can be tailored to the time available.
  • Presented during term 2 each year coinciding with the school curriculum.
  • Written work of each learner is handed back to the educator for assessment and evidence files.

12. The “Imam Haron” Museum Education Programme

Details of the programme are:

  • Target audience: Grade 9: Senior Phase, History
  • It is presented in conjunction with our “Dulcie September” travelling exhibition.
  • The programme starts with the viewing of the mentioned travelling exhibition.
  • Group discussions and report back.
  • Hands-on fun activity: Learners record audio notes and listening/evaluation of them using cell phones.
  • Presentation is presented at your local museum.
  • Duration is 90 minutes but can be tailored to the time available.
  • Presented during term 3 each year coinciding with the school curriculum.
  • Written work of each learner is handed back to the educator for assessment and evidence files.
    Information above: CAPS document, Senior phase, Social Sciences, p 48

13. The Cradle of Human Culture Museum Education Programme

Details of the programme are:

  • Target audience: Grade 5, Social Sciences – History
  • This programme is presented in conjunction with our “Cradle of Human Culture” travelling exhibition.
  • The programme starts with activity 1 which is the viewing of the “Cradle of Human Culture” travelling exhibition and a linked writing activity.
  • The next activity focuses on watching, listening and remembering with an Archaeology video clip.
  • Powerpoint presentation.
  • Hands-on fun activities are:
    • Show and tell by opening of a treasure chest.
    • Role play interview with video to be uploaded to the museum’s facebook page.
  • Programme is presented at your local museum or school.
  • Duration is 90 minutes but can be tailored to the time available.
  • Presented during term 1 each year coinciding with the school curriculum.
  • Written work of each learner is handed back to the educator for assessment and evidence files.

14. The “Karoo Kitchen” Museum Education Programme

Details of the programme are:

  • Target audience: Grade 10, Consumer Studies.
  • This programme is presented in conjunction with our “Karoo Kitchen” travelling exhibition.
  • Group discussion regarding your choice of recipe.
  • Evaluate your recipe using the food pyramid and deciding on healthiest choice in your group.
  • Hands-on fun activities are:
    • Making the dish at home.
    • Video recording your parents first reaction after tasting it.
    • Taking a photo of your dish and uploading it onto the museum’s facebook page.
  • Programme is presented at your local museum.
  • Duration is 90 minutes but can be tailored to the time available.
  • Presented during term 1 each year coinciding with the school curriculum.

15. Marine Environmental Educational Programme

Duration of program: 1 – 3 hours depending on the size of the group
Target Group: Grade 4/11
Learning Area: Natural & Social Science