Museum of Science and Industry

In April 2007, the Museum worked with newly arrived families to create a small display for the Collections Centre, based around personal experiences and some of the objects in the Museum's handling boxes. This project can be replicated by families and tutors wanting something different and fun to do following a Museum visit or outreach session. The project also aimed to extend the families' language skills.

First, families looked at objects from the Museum's handling boxes. They thought about what objects can tell us and used the objects as the inspiration for written and spoken work in English.

They began to think about objects that are important to them, from everyday items to family heirlooms. Many of the items chosen were traditional to the family's country of origin.

Two families, from Somalia and Pakistan found that the shuttles in the handling collection reminded them of traditional weaving in their home countries.

Finally the families placed their own objects, with pieces of writing and pictures, into specially decorated cardboard boxes. These went on display in the Collections Centre, opposite the handling boxes that had started the process.

The Museum is pleased to have worked with Manchester Adult Education Service and Diversity and Inclusion, East District New Arrivals Support Team to develop this project. We would also like to thank the families for their enthusiasm and for creating such a lovely display for the Collections Centre.