Providing lifelong learning opportunities is a core function of both the Black Country Living Museum and the University of Wolverhampton.
Both organisations are committed to ensuring that the rich artistic and industrial heritage of the region is shared with our local communities, and used to enrich lives, strengthen identity, raise aspirations and improve health and wellbeing.
The Museum’s educational programmes embrace three key principles:
- Authenticity: they are based on a strong foundation of well-researched historical evidence.
- Relevance: they focus on the heritage the Museum cares for to stimulate emotional and intellectual connections between the past and the present.
- Participation: they involve a dynamic interaction and dialogue between the visitor, staff and the collections.
The Museum’s programme for local schools and colleges strives to nurture enterprise and entrepreneurship, develop employability skills, and inspire the workforce of the future.
BCLM’s @Work events offer school students the opportunity to see how STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) subjects are applied in the world of work, with a particular emphasis on what is happening in the local area, with local organisations that use STEAM skills showcasing their work and demonstrating the variety of exciting careers that are available in the region.
The Museum’s IgnitEd programme offers immersive learning experiences that capture the skills and resources that helped shaped the Black Country, through craft workshops, historical study days, and family-friendly clubs.
The BCSC will allow BCLM and University to create new opportunities in partnership and build upon the existing number of events to reach a wider audience than before, working together to support, inform and inspire.
Events Search and Views Navigation
November 2018
Willow Christmas Decorations
A day learning how to combine willow with natural hedgerow materials like ivy, holly and cones as well as beautiful ribbons and raffia. Participants will make a variety of decorations to take home, including a Christmas wreath from colourful willow stems, large and small stars, flat woven Christmas trees and…
Find out more »February 2019
Young Archaeologist and Curators’ Club
A holiday club for young people with an interest in history and their local history. Learners take part in a range of themed activities exploring the past, including undertaking research, taking part in traditional crafts, object handling, living history interpretation and collections display.
Find out more »March 2019
Manufacturing@Work
An annual free event offering schools the opportunity to appreciate the important role of manufacturing in everyday life and the world of work, with a particular emphasis on related careers in the local area.
Find out more »Manufacturing@Work
An annual free event offering schools the opportunity to appreciate the important role of manufacturing in everyday life and the world of work, with a particular emphasis on related careers in the local area.
Find out more »Building, Unbuilding, Rebuilding the NHS: A Heritage Study Day
This study day will explore how the specific architecture, construction, and removal of hospital buildings has shaped public perceptions of Britain’s National Health Service over time. Presentations will reflect on hospital closures, re-openings, and long-standing hospitals, and on their sights, sounds, smells, and construction. We will discuss the material culture…
Find out more »April 2019
Young Archaeologist and Curators’ Club
A holiday club for young people with an interest in history and their local history. Learners take part in a range of themed activities exploring the past, including undertaking research, taking part in traditional crafts, object handling, living history interpretation and collections display.
Find out more »Family Traditional Easter Egg Decorating
For family members of all ages and generations. An opportunity to be creative together, taking part in a fun 2 hour workshop to create hand painted Easter egg decorations.
Find out more »July 2019
From Rationing to Reformation: A 1940s Study Day
A day of talks and demonstrations exploring how the Second World War and ensuing social upheaval changed society. Subjects covered include Make do and Mend, exploring how women used innovative methods to keep fashionable during wartime, the National Savings Movement, the arrival of the NHS in the Black Country, Canals…
Find out more »August 2019
Introduction to Canal Art: Castles
Julie Tonkin, one of the UK's leading canal artists will teach you the traditions of folk canal art. Undertake practice artwork before painting a design on a piece of canal ware to take home. On this half day course you will learn the techniques to paint a traditional castles design.…
Find out more »