Our
vis
ion
Intr
oduc
tion
Waikato Museum, Te Whare
Taonga o Waikato is the artistic and
cultural heart of our city. We value
and celebrate our rich and diverse
cultural heritage and our region’s
artistic vibrancy and flair for scientific
innovation.
Waikato Museum is an ideal place for
learning and enrichment.
Waikato Museum is proud to present
Da Vinci Mechanics. This amazing
exhibition brings together creations
and concepts devised more than 500
years ago by the brilliant scientist,
inventor and artist, Leonardo da Vinci.
With more than 80 machines and
artworks on display, many of which
are interactive, the collection brings to
life the most important and impressive
designs of the original Renaissance
Man, including the bicycle, mechanical
wing, helicopter, a mechanical lion and
the incredible robot drummer.
Students will be invited to touch and
handle the models to gain a first-
hand appreciation of how they work.
Our programmes extend the learning
environment beyond the classroom
for both students and teachers.
We have developed relevant and
useful teachers’ notes and can tailor
unique classes to meet the needs
of our visiting education groups.
These provide stimulating learning
experiences related to the exhibitions
and tours described.
Interactive displays and items will be
accompanied by explanatory notes
and illustrative panels featuring da
Vinci’s drawings.
The da Vinci school experience
comprises a classroom-based
presentation, a guided exhibition
tour and a practical construction
session to enable students to think
like an engineer. This programme
can be customised for all age levels
and can be approached from various
curriculum angles - science (simple
machines), social sciences (life in the
past, people who changed the world),
mathematics (calculus, measurement,
applied mathematics) and technology
(design, prototyping, testing, material
properties).
Key
com
pete
ncy
outc
omes
NZ
Curr
icul
um d
irect
ions
for l
earn
ingPeople use these competencies to live, learn, work, and contribute as
active members of their communities. They are the key to learning in
every area. Museum learners will become confident, connected, actively
involved, life-long learners.
Thinking Use creative and critical thinking to make sense of
the information, experiences and ideas explored in
the Museum.
Using Language,
Symbols and Text
Students will make meaning of the language,
symbols, text and specific terminology of the
Museum.
Relating to Others Interact effectively with a diverse range of people
in different and new contexts. Listen actively and
share ideas in the Museum.
Participating and
Contributing
Understand the role of the Museum in the
local and wider community. Develop a sense of
belonging and confidence to participate within
new contexts. Make connections between
exhibitions and their relevance to local, national
and global environments.
Managing Self Students will see themselves as capable learners
who develop strategies for meeting challenges.
Students develop a can-do attitude with
increasing independence.
Vision: Young people who will be confident, connected, actively involved,
lifelong learners.
Principles: High expectations, Treaty of Waitangi, cultural diversity, inclusion,
learning to learn, community engagement, coherence, future focus
Thinking
Using language,
symbols and
texts
Managing self
Relating to
others
Participating
and contributing
Excellence
Innovation,
inquiry, and
curiosity
Diversity
Equity
Community and
participation
Ecological
sustainability
Integrity
Respect
English
The arts
Health and
physical
education
Learning
languages
Mathematics
and statistics
Science
Social Sciences
Technology
Key
Com
pete
ncie
s
Valu
es
Lear
ning
Are
as
Achievement Objectives
Visi
t foc
us: D
a Vi
nci M
echa
nics
Visi
t foc
us: D
a Vi
nci M
echa
nics
Specific learning experiencesStudents will:
• Develop an understanding of
who Leonardo da Vinci was and
some of his many abilities.
• Explore the exhibition and
participate in interactive
experiences with a focus
on mechanics, engineering
and simple machines.
• Develop and extend their thinking
about da Vinci designs and
construction as they participate
in a guided practical activity.
Suggested post-visit reflection activities• Re-visit their prior knowledge of
da Vinci and see if they have any
new ideas and understandings.
• Design their own future machine
in the style of da Vinci, using
ink and quill and aging the
paper with tea/coffee etc.
• Create a model of one of the
machines they saw in the exhibition
or from a da Vinci sketch.
• Develop a play or reader’s
theatre about da Vinci. Record
an interview with da Vinci talking
about his life and works.
• Explore the idea of codes and
cyphers and ways people have
tried to keep ideas secret, such
as using mirror writing.
• Compare some of da Vinci’s
machines against their modern
day counterparts, what elements
are the same/different?
• Imagine if da Vinci were to
come back today, what would
his reaction to our current
levels of technology be?
Suggested pre-visit activities• Brainstorm as many famous
people from the past or present
as they can think of and
what they are famous for.
• Explore life in the Renaissance
period and the changes that
were happening in regards
to science and thinking.
• Develop a KWL chart about
Leonardo da Vinci.
• Explore a variety of media (books,
video, digital) about Leonardo
da Vinci and his life and works.
• Create a da Vinci wall with
interesting pictures, quotes etc.
Man
agin
g yo
ur v
isit
Man
agin
g yo
ur v
isit
Before you arriveWe will confirm your booking.
Health and safety guidelines
and RAMS forms are available
to download on our website,
waikatomuseum.co.nz/education
Please discuss with the Education
Manager your timetable and
organisation for your visit.
Please arrange for your group
to leave their bags at school or
on the bus as we have limited
storage in the Museum.
Photographs or video may be
taken in exhibitions but please
check conditions around copyright
with museum educators first.
Late arrivalsWe regret that in most cases we
cannot extend your lesson time
beyond the time that has been booked
as our educators may have multiple
commitments throughout a day.
When you arriveBring your group to the School
Entrance at the top right of
the Museum. Your educator
will meet you at that door.
Bus parking is available near the
school entrance on Grantham
Street. Three hour paid parking
is available in the Museum car
park off Victoria Street, or in the
Knox Street car park building.
We supply any pencils, paper or
other equipment that you may need
for your visit however students,
teachers and supervisors are
encouraged to bring I.T. devices to
support their learning (Please note
there is no wifi in the Museum).
At the conclusion of your visitPlease sign off the numbers of
children in your group and details of
payment with the front-of-house host.
We appreciate knowing what we
are doing well and to hear any
suggestions you may have for
improvement. We encourage students
to communicate with us about their
learning and experiences of their visit
and we request that you complete
the on-line evaluation form.
http://waikatomuseum.co.nz/
education/evaluation-form/
Feat
ured
pro
gram
mes
term
4 2
015
Feat
ured
pro
gram
mes
201
6
About our programmesAll our education programmes
explore and develop the curriculum
through classroom-based sessions,
exhibition tours and activities.
Bookings are essential.
Big Day Out Term 4Select from one of our four offers –
science, social history, art and
tangata whenua or we can tailor a
programme to suit your needs. Half or
whole day programmes available.
For Us They FellUntil November 2018
Take the opportunity to see this
major exhibition. Make it a full day
by combining our Museum-based
programme with a visit to the
Cenotaph and Memorial Gardens –
we will support your teaching with a
detailed guide to the park.
Whenua OraUntil 3 April 2016
Join us for an adventure in Maaori
contemporary art. Classroom
programme, exhibition tour and
art activities.
Passing People22 October - 14 February 2016
John Badcock painted 100 portraits
throughout 2004. Explore the art of
portraiture and complete an
art activity.
Discovery DashJoin us for a team building opportunity.
Explore the Museum and complete the
challenges. Fun and learning for
Years 4 – 10.
Matariki From 28 May 2016
Explore our exhibition Te Whaanau
Maarama and participate in our
curriculum-based programme with a
focus on Matariki and Maaori art.
Country Calendar - 50 Golden Years11 June - 18 September 2016
For 50 years the Country Calendar
team has documented rural people
and practice. Join us for a curriculum-
based programme where town
meets country.