Some of the students involved in a new exhibition at Rotorua Museum designed by kids, for kids. Photo / Supplied
Some of the students involved in a new exhibition at Rotorua Museum designed by kids, for kids. Photo / Supplied
A talented group of children have created a special exhibition especially for kids and their families.
Be Amazed! A Labyrinth of Patterns was developed by students aged between 10 and 13 from Gifted Kids Rotorua alongside the staff of Rotorua Museum.
It is believed to be one of the firstof its kind in New Zealand and is a fun, hands-on exploration of patterns.
Hands-on activities will help visitors to learn more about a range of patterns by exploring tartan, lace, harakeke (flax), crystals and even tuatara's toenails.
Inspired by an article in an international museum magazine, Rotorua Museum head of education Emma Liley contacted Gifted Kids Rotorua lead teacher, Sue Bufton, to propose the project.
Mrs Liley said they initially did a lot of work around what a museum was and what an exhibition was for.
"The students chose patterns as the concept for the exhibition and then had to select objects from the Rotorua Museum collection to research and display."
For the last 10 months students of the Gifted Kids Rotorua programme have been working with the team at Rotorua Museum to develop, curate and design a family-based exhibition to be showcased at Rotorua Museum over the summer.
"The kids wanted a very 'child friendly' exhibition. Working with the kids has been a great learning experience for the kids, and the team at the museum."
The students have also found out how a museum puts together an exhibition - from the initial idea to design, choosing the exhibition name and marketing, she said.
The exhibition opens on November 9 and runs through to March 2. Entry is included in Rotorua Museum's admission price. Adults $20, seniors $18 and children $8. Entry for Rotorua residents is free of charge with relevant ID.
