EDUCATION

The educational activities of the Museum contribute to valid knowledge and the formation of environmental awareness. Since 1974, groups of students from all over Greece visit the Museum and are guided to its exhibition halls.

In addition to the presentations of the exhibition halls via guided tours and educational programs, addressed to school groups, the Educational Department is open for collaboration with teachers, students, and volunteers. Learning outcomes:

·        To familiarize with the natural environment,

·        To understand the interdependencies that develop in it

·        To raise public awareness of the dangers of the natural environment today and

·        To activate visitors of all ages in the direction of its preservation.

Moreover, the Educational Department of the Museum, following the new methodological approaches introduced in Education through the Interdisciplinary latest School Curricula, has created educational programs addressed at primary school pupils who visit the Museum.

The aim of these programs is to strengthen the connection with nature and to cultivate positive attitude and values ​​for the preservation of natural wealth, not only through knowledge but also through the joy of observation and research, collaboration and creation.For any information related to educational visits or other educational activities you can refer to the Educational Programs on the GNHM’s  website.

For any relevant question regarding the English educational programs of the GNHM, please contact the Head of the Educational Department of the Museum, Mrs. Lily Iakovidou – Alevra, at 210-8015870 (extension 527), Monday to Friday, 9: 00-16.30,
Fax: 210-8012001, e-mail: lalev@gnhm.gr.

For school reservations, please contact Ms. Irini Chroni, tel. 210-8015870 (extension 670) , Monday to Friday, 8.00-15.00.

6 English Programs

“Wild animals and me”

A specially designed program for kindergarten children (ages 5-6), as well as 1st and 2nd grade pupils. The program includes:

· Interactive Guided Tour: pupils will explore the exhibition area through dialogue-based stops, with brief introductions and explanations about select animals from each section of the Museum.

· Animal Dramatization: pupils will bring to life the characteristics of certain animals in the exhibition space, directly in front of the relevant displays.

Each school group will also receive:
An A3 coloring sheet featuring two animals for each pupil.

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“9 insects and 1 spider”

This popular educational program is designed for 1st and 2nd grade pupils.

The program introduces:

· the bee,

· the fly,

· the mosquito,

· the praying mantis,

· the ladybug,

· the cockroach,

· the dragonfly,

· the ant,

· the butterfly, and, of course,

the spider, which is not an insect!

In the insect hall, children engage in interactive activities and play, while learning:

· the structure and life cycle of the insects,

· the unique habits and secrets of every species.

In a specially designed room, pupils:

· transform into insects,

· solidify their newfound knowledge through a fun educational game.

Each pupil will take home:

· an Ant Colony Maze (on A4 paper),

· an elaborate illustration of 54 insects to color (on A3 paper).

Teachers will receive:

· a special vocabulary list used throughout the program,

· a color copy of the magical illustration of 54 insects, signed by the Museum’s artist, Mireille Bessis.

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“Life beneath the waves”

This exciting Program for kindergarten and 1st Grade pupils invites children to uncover the fascinating secrets of marine animals through interactive activities

The program includes:

· A fun introduction to the Museum’s key concepts, along with an engaging discussion about ecosystems and biodiversity, presented through an interactive activity

· Discovering Marine Animals: In a dedicated space, Kindergarten pupils explore 10 marine animals, while 1st graders learn about 14 species. Through playful activities and a sea-themed setting, children uncover each animal’s unique traits and favorite hiding spots

· Encountering Real Creatures: pupils deepen their understanding with a PowerPoint presentation, followed by hands-on observation of marine animals’ colors and patterns in the Museum’s Hydrobiology section. The session is supported by worksheets—simplified for kindergarten and more advanced for 1st Grade

. A short but enriching tour through the Museum’s other exhibition areas

Each pupil will take home an educational material with stickers for further exploration “beneath the waves”

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“In the footsteps of the dinosaurs”

This educational program is tailored for 1st and 2nd grade pupils, offering an engaging and immersive experience that explores the fascinating world of dinosaurs.

· A warm welcome to the Museum, introducing essential concepts about reptiles and what defines a dinosaur in the Explorers’ Room

· Discovering Dinosaurs: Through dynamic movement games that encourage curiosity and exploration, young learners encounter eight captivating dinosaur species, including Tyrannosaurus Rex, Triceratops, Ichthyosaurus, Pterosaur, Diplodocus, Ankylosaurus, Compsognathus, and Pteranodon. Museum educators lead discussions that delve into the dietary habits, physical characteristics, and unique adaptations of these prehistoric creatures. As students participate in a lively question-and-answer session, they sharpen their critical thinking skills by analyzing the educational materials presented throughout the program.

· The second phase of the program transitions pupils to the Paleontological Department of the exhibition space, where they have the opportunity to observe a replica of a fossil that represents the modern relative of dinosaurs – the so-called Archaeopteryx.

· The adventure continues on the upper floor, where pupils engage with a genuine skeletal fossil of the Ichthyosaurus and a replica of the Triceratops. To further captivate the pupils, the program incorporates tactile experiences. Museum educators encourage the group to carefully handle the replica skeleton of the Triceratops, activating their sense of touch and therefore curiosity regarding the reptile’s body morphology and size.

Brief Tour: A short but enriching tour through the Museum’s other exhibition areas

Each pupil will take home:

· A maze connecting baby dinosaurs with their parents (on A4 paper)

· A coloring sheet featuring three dinosaurs (Tyrannosaurus Rex, Triceratops, and Pterodactyl) (on A3 paper)

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“How was lifelike in the past”

This educational program is tailored for 3rd and 4th grade pupils, offering an engaging experience that explores the fascinating life through fossils.

The program includes:

· A brief overview of key concepts related to the Natural History Museum.

· An exploration of a designated exhibition area, guided by an activity sheet and supported by a specially trained museum staff member

The pupils will delve into topics such as:

· The three geological Eras

· The concept of fossils, including observing a plant fossil

· Creating an ammonite fossil replica

· Animal fossils from Pikermi, Attica (8.5 – 9 million years ago)

· Human prehistory (skull examination) and drawing primitive tools

. Brief Tour: A short but enriching tour through the Museum’s other exhibition areas

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“Let’s visit the inner Εarth”

This educational program is tailored for 3rd and 4th grade pupils, offering an engaging experience that explores very interesting features of the inner parts of our planet.

The program includes:

· A brief overview of key concepts related to the Natural History Museum.

· An engagement through activities in a selected exhibition area, using an activity sheet and guided by a specially trained museum staff member

The topics pupils will explore include:

· The role of geologists

· The Earth’s inner structure

· Volcanoes (eruptions and landscape changes, with a focus on Santorini)

· Minerals – their properties and uses

· Sketching a mineral based on exhibit observations

. Brief Tour: A short but enriching tour through the Museum’s other exhibition areas

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Come and explore!

Book your visit at GNHM and enjoy a creative educational day with your class!

Important note

All programs are addressed for school groups up to 20 pupils.

For groups larger than 20 pupils, each group will follow a separate program. For example, a group of 50 pupils will be divided into three smaller groups, each participating in a different program.

Please allow extra time for pupil entry and exit, meals, and a visit to the museum shop.

To book a school visit, please contact Ms. Eirini Chroni at 210-8015870 (ext. 670) from Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

We look forward to welcoming you for a creative and enriching educational visit!