Workshop Provider: Widget Workshops

Workshop Themes & Tags: History, the Maya, Mayan, VR

Age Suitability: Key Stage 2

Delivery Locations: Parts of England (Midlands, North-West, South-West); Parts of Wales (Mid and North)

Workshop Summary: 

We bring history to life, using virtual reality to discover the ancient world and providing hands-on practical activities where children can handle artefacts and learn ancient skills. Our workshops are truly immersive.

• Using our VR headsets, explore the sites of Mesoamerica, discover the ruins of Tikal, the of Uxmal, swim in a cenotes, spot the animals of the Guatemalan rainforest, use what you have discovered to plan your ancient Maya city.

• Try the traditional skill of weaving, including a demonstration of an authentic back-strap loom.Create your own worry doll to take home

• Participate in an artefact handling session, where children can look at artefacts such as the Dresden Codex, cacao beans, pods and whisks, pottery and masks.

• Dress up in traditional Maya costume and try writing their names in hieroglyphs using our syllabary.

• Play games using the Maya number system.

• Learn about the long count calendar and how to use the Tzolkin and Haab calendars.

• Through looking at the calendars they will then learn their Nahual name and create their own Nahual sign.

• At the end of the day, we will all come together to take part in a typical Maya Fire Ceremony (using electric candles!), children will draw on their Nahual name and make offerings.