The Museum in Transit project takes objects out of the institution to help people engage with them. Courtesy Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery.

In a bid to increase young people’s awareness of the existence and purpose of museums, staff at Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery have been taking the exhibitions to them.

Museum in Transit (MIT) is an exciting project funded by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council’s Renaissance in the Regions programme, which is aimed at transforming regional institutions.

Over the course of a week museum staff create unique events at schools in the local community. Pupils work with replica objects in activities covering a wide range of curriculum subjects, tailored to each school’s needs. The end result is a ‘mini museum’ created by the kids themselves.

“We are focused on getting into the school environment and working closely with the children,” explained Roland Sloggett, an education assistant at the museum. “We are trying to fire up their interest in museums, giving them an understanding of what they are for and breaking down the barriers.”

The pupils advertise their museum to the rest of the school and invite their colleagues to pay a visit. Courtesy Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery.

The project started two years ago but was only officially launched recently. Last year alone it managed to visit 26 schools and worked with more than 13,000 children. The measure of its success can be seen in this rapid and continuing growth.

“It started with a guy in a taxi going round to schools. Now, thanks to Renaissance, we have a van, can buy replica objects and have a whole team,” said Roland. “We are starting to visit libraries and community centres and are working with the primary care trust. We are hoping to get a second van soon for community work.”

The concept centres on extending the learning experience of the museum and focusing for a whole week on one school. The emphasis is on the pupils working with the objects and gaining an understanding of museums and their purpose.

“From the very start the children are involved. They set up the display and advertise it round the school,” explained Roland. “They do the research and write the labels - in a way, they curate the exhibition.”

The children get a chance to handle the objects. Courtesy Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery.

One of MIT’s great advantages is that it can be tailored to meet the different requirements of each school. The theme for the week is selected by the school from a wide choice covering history, natural science and art. Subjects include the Victorians, the Greeks, Egyptian Art and Patterns in Nature.

Museum staff can also visit the school in advance to meet with teachers and discuss the opportunities MIT provides. The activities can then be changed to suit the children’s needs.

“MIT is very flexible, very adaptable. It is really for the school to customise their education week how they want,” commented Roland.

The project has initially been aimed at Key Stage 1 and 2 children, but because of its flexibility it is hoped it can be adapted for all ages.

The project aims to help younger children understand what museums are about and what they can offer them. Courtesy Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery.

The education team at Plymouth are excited about the continued expansion and success of MIT, and well they might be. It’s been hailed as one of the star education projects in the South West and is an example of the innovative outreach work being funded by Renaissance across the country.

Indeed, if regional museums are to be transformed, then the education of young people in their existence and importance is a crucial, and sustaining factor.

Rory Trust was formerly the 24 Hour Museum Renaissance Student Writer in the South West. Renaissance is the groundbreaking initiative to transform England's regional museums, led by MLA, the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.