MUSEUM IN MINIATURE

Chronicle (Levin), 9 December 1947, Page 4

MUSEUM IN MINIATURE

CHILDREN SEE NATURE IN THE SCHOOL ROOMS Brought out from under the dustsheets of wartime storage, specimens of wild life and many other exhibits of biological interest are at present in circulation in Horowhenua schools. Mounted in speeially constructed portable showcases, they are distributed by the Dominion Museum educational service. The iseheme was in operation before the war, but has only reeently recommenced and is on a much wider scale. The service, which is a most popular one with pupils and school teachers alike, is made possible through the close ■co-operation of the Education Department and Dominion Museum staff. With two specialist assistants, the educational officer, Mr,. L. Stannard, is in lcharge of the service and has h'is headquarteres at the Dominion Museum. The exhibits are sent to group centres, where they are sub-divided infco three lots. Levin -School shares its quota with Otaki and Shannon. When all three have .interchanged the exhibits, they are returned to the museum and a frgsh consignment is reeeived. Bach school retains its portion of the group consignment for one term before passing it on to the next school in the circuit. With eaph showcase is a full summary of its contents and their historical foaekground and description. Pamphlets on many subjects are ffiso forwarded by the museum education service, and Mr. Stannard frequently makes lecture tours of the schools.