Sharjah Museums Department launches new workshops

SHARJAH- Sharjah Museums Department (SMD) has launched a series of new workshops in the areas of excavation, astronomy and ceramics. The workshops will implement SMD’s goals for enhancing the community’s appreciation of museums, and are specifically geared towards school-aged children and their family members.

On 3^rd of May, a family workshop was held for children aged 3-7 years who learnt about field of archaeology and the expert archaeologists who uncover antiquities from excavation sites. They were also introduced to the UAE map featuring Sharjah’s geographical coordinates as well as to models of archaeological artefacts. The atmosphere was playful and engaging as young participants sat in a circle colouring in copies of the map.

Next the children were brought to the excavation corner in the Museum and invited to search for the lost treasure. The children and their accompanying family members decorated the pottery items they had unearthed.  The activity brought the concepts of excavation and restoration to life in young minds.

On 7^th and 8^th of May, SMD’s Interpretation and Education Department organised a special programme on astronomy at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, as part of the “Astrolabe is computer of Ancient People “, in cooperation with the Dubai Astronomy Group.

The workshop included a guided tour that highlighted the innovative science behind the astrolabe, followed by an educational lecture on astronomy, its methods and applications. SMD provided participants with the unique opportunity to use the astrolabe to monitor the stars and their shapes, while identifying prominent constellations.

On 10^th of May, the Sharjah Archaeology Museum hosted multiple programmes free of charge for families and children aged 8-13 years. Among these is the workshop “My Story on My Jar”, which highlighted pottery and the development of ceramics through the ages. Participants were introduced to Mleiha—one of the most important archaeological areas in the Emirate of Sharjah—and viewed some of the artefacts discovered within its excavation sites.

Children had the chance to create their own pottery replicas of Mleiha’s artefacts and encouraged to use their imaginations to engrave these works of art with unique stories and symbols.

On 31^st of May, the Sharjah Archaeology Museum will host a 10am workshop titled, “My Old House”, which is geared towards families and children with special needs. This special morning will begin with a guided tour of the museum to educate the families and their children about culture, customs, and homes found in the ancient lands that we now know as Sharjah. Following the tour, participants will construct their own homes, as inspired by the museum’s collections.