Explosive school holiday fun at the Orange Regional Museum

Primary school aged children are invited to come along to the museum for any of sixteen sessions during January to learn about the history of Mount Canobolas and the journeys of those who ventured there.

Orange City Council’s Services Policy Committee Chair Ron Gander said the school holiday activities were created around the theme of the museum’s current exhibition Journeys: People, Place, Stories.

“The museum is a wonderful place for children to come and learn about the history of our region and the journeys of those who made it what it is today,” he said.

“One of the museum’s main aims is to engage school aged children from across the central west and helping them build and then erupt a volcano is a fun way to do just that.

“It’s also free and parents and carers are encouraged to come along and join in the fun.”

During the hour long sessions, children will build their own mini volcano and watch it explode.

Children will take in the history surrounding Mount Canobolas’ prehistoric volcanic eruptions and learn how it formed the earth where they live and provided nutrient-rich soil.

“Our aim to get every school child in the region through the doors and this is just the first step in a long list of fun, enriching activities museum staff have planned,” Cr Gander said.

“Just before school broke up, school teachers across the central west were invited to come along and talk with staff about what they would like to see and do at the museum and what best fits in with the curriculum.

“There was a great turn out and with continued engagement with schools we’re sure the Orange Regional Museum will be a valuable asset and tool to be used in shaping our children’s education.”

The Orange regional Museum is open daily from 9am to 5pm, is free and is open every day over the school holidays except Christmas Day.

The volcanic school holiday activity sessions are weekdays from January 11 to January 20 and sessions start from 9.30am and 11.30am.

To book for these sessions call 63938444, for information and to be kept up to date with museum news go to www.orangemuseum.com.au