Schools@MUSA
The Museum of the University of St Andrews examines 600 years of history across four galleries to discover how the University has developed, how its graduates have shaped the world and how the world has shaped St Andrews. MUSA offers scope for a huge range of subjects and curriculum areas to be covered. To view facilities available use the menu on the left.
Programmes
A range of pre-prepared programmes are available at MUSA. If you would like to bring your group to MUSA but can find nothing suitable please contact us and we will endeavour to organise a useful and engaging visit.
Tours
Learning & Access staff can offer general or themed tours of the museum targeted at the appropriate level for pupils.
All age groups
- Close Up: Far Away encourages pupils to think about how we use microscopes and telescopes to explore and understand our world, from the depths of the oceans to distant stars. They will look closely at objects through magnifiers and microscopes and then create an artwork from an unusual perspective. The session includes aspects of the Expressive Art, Science, Technology and Social Studies areas of the Curriculum for Excellence.
- The MUSA Young Artist Award is an annual competition for schools in Fife. Workshops on the theme of the competition take place in February and March to encourage pupils to develop their creative abilities and be inspired by the collections on display. For more information visit the Young Artist Award page.
Nursery / early years groups
- These Are a Few of my Favourite Things allows children to explore MUSA using an activity backpack containing five different activities. Pupils can engage with some of the most popular objects in the museum through entertaining and educational activities, such as role play and sorting. The session incorporates aspects of the Expressive Arts, Literacy and English, Numeracy, Science, Technologies and Social Studies areas of the Curriculum for Excellence.
- Talking Pictures brings our art collection to life through fun and imaginative stories and props. It encourages pupils to examine artworks more closely and create their own artworks in response.
Primary groups
- Light & Dark encourages pupils to think about the different sources of light, consider the ways that light can be used and find out about sustainable energy use. They will also make their own kaleidoscope to discover one way in which light can be used creatively. The session includes aspects of the Science, Technologies, Health and Wellbeing, Expressive Arts and Social Studies areas of the Curriculum for Excellence. Light and Dark Session (PDF, 285 KB) Light and Dark Worksheet (PDF, 227 KB)
- Famous Scots examines individuals who have shaped Scottish society and looks at how their actions can influence the world. Pupils will discuss and see examples of the ways in which people are remembered and produce a piece of writing inspired by a famous Scot. The session incorporates aspects of the Science, Technology, Social Studies and Literacy areas of the Curriculum for Excellence.Famous Scots Session (PDF, 369 KB) Famous Scots Worksheet (PDF, 386 KB) Famous Scots Answers (PDF, 399 KB)
- Coming soon…
- Archaeology workshops covering a range of relevant topics with hands-on, practical activities are available.
- Medieval Classroom will enable pupils to enter the world of the 15th century University student. Pupils will enter medieval St Andrews by dressing in monks’ habits and learning a range of skills, including illuminated manuscript writing.
Primary groups / secondary groups
- Viewing the Past, Looking to the Future encourages pupils to look for changes in their environment and think about how their lives are different to those of people in the past. Topics such as urbanisation, industrial progress and our impact on the environment will be discussed and pupils will work together to create a frieze showing a modern, environmentally conscious town. The workshop will help pupils to identify changes to their surroundings, distinguish between man-made and natural changes, consider the effects of our actions on the environment and identify positive changes that can reduce this effect. The session incorporates aspects of the Expressive Arts, Literacy and Social Studies areas of the Curriculum for Excellence.
