Local Life - Wigan - November 2018

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Museum Musings
Most of us have wandered aimlessly around the
polished floors of a gallery at some point. Whether I
was balking at giant whale skeletons protruding from
the ceiling or getting hands-on with an interactive
exhibit, as a kid I was happiest in a museum. But they
can also be great educational tools outside of the
classroom – here’s how.
First, museums act as a great companion to book
learning. While a school syllabus is often limited to
the bare essentials necessary for passing exams,
museums can provide more scope to a subject
- perfect for adding a bit of flair to an essay and
making a once boring topic more interesting.
There is something special about being allowed to
roam the hallways and galleries of a museum. Kids
can explore at their own pace rather than being
guided to a specific area or exhibit, and will steer
themselves towards topics or displays they find
most appealing. This could lead to them discovering
something new that they’d like to learn more about,
and unearth a new sense
of wonder about the
world around them.
chances to listen to historical accounts, or try their
hand at crafts and science displays.
Museums also provide a great opportunity to garner
an interest in a particular subject. There’s a huge
range of specialisms, and plenty to discover in your
local area! Try these for size:
The Museum of Wigan Life invites you to discover
local stories and characters, with a main gallery and
special exhibition spaces. Learn the tale of Mab’s
Cross and discover why Wigan is famous for its pies!
If you’d like to know more about Wigan’s industrial
heritage, the Lancashire Mining Museum might
be for you. It occupies the site of the Astley Green
Colliery, where you can see the iconic pit headgear.
A bit further afield, the Museum of Science and
Industry in Manchester has loads of interactive
science exhibits, including locomotives, computers
and flight simulators – you can even see space in
virtual reality.
There are often events
going on at your local
museum, including talks,
temporary exhibitions
and days geared towards
different topics. Along
with interactive exhibits,
these can help make
learning more personal,
and benefit different types
of learners. If your child is
more of an auditory or
kinaesthetic learner, don’t
worry – there are usually