The mounted animals in Naturalis are frozen in place forever. This makes them perfect for getting a close-up look. In the “Life” gallery, each pupil will choose an animal from the hundreds of objects on display. By drawing the animals, the pupils learn to look more carefully and questions arise naturally. “What’s the point of having a big trunk like that?”, “What does the bird do with that little hook on its beak?” The educational assistant will help them find answers. In the workshop area, pupils can create detailed sketches using nib pens, brushes and sepia ink. The pupils will choose their own final assignment: they can either make a scientific illustration using a microscope or a drawing that reconstructs one of the dinosaurs in the “Dino Era” gallery. Then the penny drops: animals’ bodies are put together in super-useful ways!
Everything you need to knowin a row
- Type: workshop
- Level: the program will be adjusted based on the level of the class
- Length: 120 minutes
- Number of pupils: at least 15, but no more than 28
- Areas: workshop Present and galleries Life and Dinosaur Era
- The school will supply: no more than 2 supervisors
- Naturalis will supply: 2 supervisors
- Main objective: pupils will learn first-hand that, by looking closely at an animal, you can discover how form relates to function
Course of the programat the museum
The program consists of four parts. The schedule given below is an indication only.
0-30 minutes: workshop area
In the workshop area, there are real mounted animal specimens. The pupils play a game that challenges them to examine the animals very closely. Next, they look at animal art for inspiration and drawing tips.
30-80 minutes: “Life” gallery
Pupils will choose an animal and draw a pencil sketch of it. Back in the workshop area, they will further work out the details using nib pens, brushes and sepia ink.
80-110 minutes: workshop area or the “Dino Era” gallery
There are four scientific illustrators working at Naturalis. Pupils will hear about how the illustrators’ work is an important part of doing research. Pupils can choose from two assignments. Using magnifying glasses and microscopes, they can make a drawing of something tiny, or they can go to the “Dino Era” gallery, choose a dinosaur and draw what they think it looked like when it was alive, with flesh and skin.
110-120 minutes: workshop area
The pupils choose one of the animals they drew earlier. The supervisor is not told which animal it is, but asks questions and tries to draw the animal based on the responses. It’s an impossible task! Pupils receive a folder to carry their drawings home in and to encourage them to keep drawing, because you can learn a lot from it.
Booking infoprepare your visit
Everything you need to know about practical matters such as parking, lockers and house rules.
