Heritage Malta has launched a new educational programme called ‘Young Knights’, earmarked for primary and secondary school students who visit the Palace Armoury in Valletta.

It said that museum visits can have a profound impact on young people and there was no better way to engage with a historical object than to physically come into close proximity with the object itself. “The aim of a museum visit is not to overwhelm students but to foster thinking skills and promote discussion.”

Heritage Malta’s Education Section has produced two workbooks as well as a teacher’s resource book, which is meant to provide teachers with useful information related both to the educational methodology within museums and to key historical episodes directly or indirectly linked to the national collection housed at the Palace Armoury. The workbooks consist of information, tasks and various interpretative materials designed to stimulate critical thinking and creativity, and to generate an appetite for learning within such a historical setting.

Schools wishing to participate in these educational programmes should book two weeks in advance by calling tel. 2295-4310. On booking teachers will receive a copy of the teacher’s resource book via email. Entrance to the museum and participation in the educational programme are free.