We’ve been taken over!

On Thursday 17th November, pupils from Primary 7 at Newtongrange Primary School visited the National Mining Museum Scotland and took over the job of Wellbeing Officers!

The pupils were tasked with creating the Museum’s first ever Wellbeing Trail for young people and families to enjoy when they visit us. The Trail launched today, Friday 18th November, on the official Kids in Museums Takeover Day, and will remain in the Museum until the end of January 2023. Why not come along and take part yourself?

During their Takeover Day, pupils:

• learnt what a museum is and what its purpose is
• met loads of members of NMMS staff (including our CEO, Finance Officer, Facilities Manager, Assistant Curator, Visitor Service Assistants and Tour Guides) to find out what jobs there are in a museum
• explored health and wellbeing and what they thought museums could do to help support our visitor’s wellbeing
• came up with activities
• designed and created amazing posters for the Wellbeing Trail!

As well as it being a great day for the pupils, it was also really helpful day for us, as a Museum! We got to hear first-hand from young people what they thought and what ideas they had. Pupils told us of their future career hopes from marine biologists, RAF pilots, artists, engineers, to some wanting to either be the “Museum boss” or help look after historical objects just like we do. We also heard from the pupils that the main areas they felt we could support visitors’ wellbeing was by being a great place to keep learning, to have fun with interactive activities/being able to actually hold objects, and to be active as you walk around the Lady Victoria Colliery!

The Wellbeing Trail covers the two main exhibition floors and includes activities from spotting objects, striking a pose, making your own lamp to even a reminder to eat your vegetables!

NMMS has loved being part of Kids in Museums Takeover Day, it was great to see the pupils engage with our collection and their posters for the Trail are so creative and fun, we can’t wait for other visitors to take part too!

More information about Kids in Museums Takeover Day can be found here