This scavenger hunt game design and handout (in Arabic) are a product of volunteer efforts. I have designed the game in an attempt to fill a gap in government programs targeting children. While considering Cairo's medieval city (a UNESCO's heritage site) as an open-air museum, this activity comes as a civil contribution to its museum education program. The current services offered by the concerned Egyptian government bodies mainly target adults. It is important to develop a program with the purpose of creating greater awareness among Egyptian children of their past. By educating children, they grow to into more motivated and empowered individuals, who work to assist in protecting and understanding the past.
A copy of the scavenger hunt, combined with English explanation, can be consulted here.
Scavenger hunters starting their quest!
Teenage participant working on solving the scavenger hunt!
Museum literacy refers to the comfort and confidence with which individuals approach museums, parks, and other informal learning institutions. As educators, it is important to inspire these sentiments in all visitors so that they may have a positive experience and desire to continue exploring museums. Not only will this shine a light on an under-served museum audience, but it hopefully will create a better awareness of addressing specific audience needs.
Al-Muiz Street is being chosen as a sample area from Islamic Cairo; the world’s biggest concentration of Islamic monuments. With its setting and geographic location, Al-Muiz street perfectly fits the description of an “open-air museum” which specializes in the collection of multiple old buildings at a large outdoor site.
I have also organized and led a few walking tours for adults and families. Click here for the tour's flyer.
References:
Golding, Vivien. Museums and Communities: Curators, Collections and Collaboration. 2013. Berg Publishers.
Goulding, Christina. 2000. The museum environment and the visitor experience. European Journal of Marketing 34 (3-4): 261-278.
Hawass, Zahi. 2005. A new era for museums in Egypt. Museum International 57 (1‐2): 7-23.
Jameson, John H. et al ed. Past meets present: Archaeologists partnering with museum curators, teachers and community groups. 2007. DE: Springer New York.
Learning Significance