Children's Programs

Blue Deer Storytelling: Magical Tales From Around the World
Folktales and legends reach into the heart of the matter -- sometimes in humorous ways, sometimes more seriously. Entertaining and educational programs for children and adults built around themes of self-confidence and respect for others, respect for the earth and its creatures, as well as porquoi stories from many cultures and traditions. Michele also incorporates background information and cultural objects into the tellings so as to help the audience become more comfortable with cultures not their own. Michele  Belluomini

Marking Boundaries in Ancient Ireland: An Interactive Program on Heritage and Identity
For more than five thousand years people have lived and worshipped in the valley of Glencolumbkille, in County Donegal. Markers on the landscape include iron-age ring-forts, standing stones, and holy wells, representing real and imagined boundaries. In this program we will view images from the pilgrimage site at Glencolumbkille, comparing the ways people marked that landscape to activities in everyday life today in Pennsylvania. Then children will make their own "boundary markers" - a bookmark "or door-knob hanger, which they can decorate with a choice of Celtic designs such as those on the stones at Glencolumbkille. (Appropriate for children in 3rd through 6th grades.) Dori Panzer

Let’s Pretend We Are Nomads – A Dramatic Play Program
Playing house is an important activity for young children. By playing with the tasks and patterns of everyday life they absorb information about their culture. Reenacting the daily life and playing house with household goods of other culture children learn about other ways of life. Children are told a story about a brother and sister whose family is part of a nomadic clan who are moving their herds south for the winter. Using the same tents, large pots, storage bags, and tools that were pictured in the story children then recreate and reinterpret life in a nomadic household.  The children are encouraged to bring the story to life and to dramatize it in their own way and in the process experience a life that is very different from their own. Ann Guinan

CSI Egypt: Gathering Clues to the Lives (and Deaths) of the Ancient Egyptians 
through Archaeology
The ways modern crime scene investigators gather and study evidence to solve a case are sometimes very similar to the methods used by archaeologists as they try to gather clues about how ancient people lived. This extensively illustrated presentation will introduce the basic practices of archaeology in the study of ancient Egypt. The talk will look to the famous discovery of King Tut's tomb in the Valley of the Kings as well as the speaker's own field work to demonstrate how careful archaeological detective work slowly builds 
us a picture of ancient Egypt, often one small clue at a time.
 Nick Picardo and Kate Liszka

Bee in Ancient Egypt
Our guide, Bebi the Bee, takes us on a tour of Ancient Egypt from his perspective.  This talk leads children and adults through the Ancient Egyptian world of insects, focusing primarily on bees, beetles, locusts, and flies.  We will learn about insects’ natural and artificial habitats in their desert gardens.  We will also look at how humans interacted and cared for some insects and their byproducts.  And lastly, we will discuss how these small creatures were religiously revered by humans.
 Kate Liszka

Native American Folk Tales
From the multi-faceted Raven trickster of the Northwest Coast to the generosity of the Southwest Basin’s bird-people to the mystical mice of the Great Plains, Gloria Shaner’s interactive story-telling style educates as it enthralls and entertains. Authentic artifacts from the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology’s Native American collection are passed around and discussed. Gloria Shaner

What in the World?

What is it made of? Was it manufactured? How was it manufactured? What type of climate does it come from? Is it still in use today? This challenging "hands-on" program uses actual artifacts to introduce students to the study of world cultures. This program is based on "What in the World?", the popular television quiz show that originated from the University Museum in the 1950s and begins with a short clip from the original show. Students will be asked not only to identify artifacts, but also to identify the steps they took to reach their conclusions. Afterwards, material about the specific cultural areas with pictures with the artifacts in context will be presented and discussed. Students will be asked to examine the type of information that can be learned through deductive reasoning and compare it to information gained through expertise and experience. (Suitable for 6th through 12th grade.) Ms. Ann Guinan

Adventures in the American Southwest
Explore the world of the Pueblo Indians of the Southwest. Students will hear stories and examine pottery, weavings, jewelry, and related cultural objects. Ms. Phoebe Eskenazi

The Continent of the Drum
Unlike western music, where the drum usually takes a backseat, most African music has a drum as its centerpiece. The drum has such a special role in community life that many African peoples see it as a part of the link between them and their creator. This presentation will focus on the "sekere," a handheld drum from the Yoruba People of Nigeria. Using slides, video and pulsating demonstrations, Ms. Iyabunmi will explain how the sekere is made, the materials used, the special skills needed to play it well, and the meaning of traditional and modern Sekere music. This is a hands-on lecture, so children will learn how to play the sekere drum. Ms. Omomola Iyabunmi

Myths and Tales of Ancient Egypt
Listen to the tales of the Shipwrecked Sailor and the doomed Prince. Join Dr. Olson for a general introduction to characters in ancient Egyptian myths and tales through stories and pictures. Dr. Stacie Olson or Ms. Vanessa Smith

Myths and Tales of Ancient Greece
Join Dr. Olson for a general introduction to characters in Greek myths through stories and pictures. Hear about the Gods from Mt. Olympus and how they interact with humankind. Who knows, you might even meet a nymph, faun, or centaur! Dr. Stacie Olson

Daily Life of the Ancient Egyptians
Egyptian tomb models and wall paintings provide an accurate and revealing record of the way an ancient people lived. This information is complemented by numerous objects of daily life preserved in the unusually dry climate of Egypt and discovered through archaeological excavation. This lecture will illustrate agriculture and food production, livestock and the items used by the Egyptians in their daily life. The program will conclude with a discussion of the typical Egyptian house and objects found in it. (Suitable for children of elementary and middle school age.) Dr. Stacie Olson

Life in Ancient Egypt
Discover what life was like in ancient Egypt! Learn about the lifestyles of the pharaohs and wealthy as well as ordinary citizens. In addition, this lecture will examine ancient Egyptian religion and their belief in the after life. Many aspects of ancient Egyptian life are similar to those of the modern world. Love poems, humor, education, juvenile delinquency, and various hobbies are several examples of this connection with contemporary society. Through the use of slides, this lecture will give a glimpse into the lives of the people of ancient Egypt. (Suitable for ages 10 and up.) Dr. Stacie Olson

Dance in Egypt as a Celebration of Daily Life
The traditional dances of Egypt provide a moving record of a vanishing way of life. They reflect aspects of village life such as water gathering, ritual combat, and the celebration of weddings. These dances symbolize a continuity of traditions in different Egyptian societies; most importantly, the Fellahin, Bedouin, and Nubian peoples. Through discussion, demonstration and by encouraging the audience to participate, Barbara will explain the dances and movement styles of these three Egyptian groups and reveal something of the character and the essence of these peoples. Barbara Siegel “Habiba”

Aesop's Fables
A brave mouse, a lazy fox, and a very determined turtle are featured players in a new puppet version of Aesop's Fables. For 2500 years these classic animal stories have been entertaining and teaching with lively fantasy and humor. Acclaimed puppeteer Steve Abrams performs Aesop's Fables as part of an introduction to puppet theater. The audience participates in designing a puppet as well as experiencing how a puppet moves and speaks. Mr. Steve Abrams

Raven's Feast
See the creation of the world and the return of the sun, as puppeteer Steve Abrams performs stories and myths from the native American culture of the Northwest Coast. Steve uses a tabletop, props, and puppets to introduce the Raven in three tales. This inventive and entertaining program has a touching universal message. Mr. Steve Abrams

Life in the Holy Land: A Walk thru ancient Jerusalem
Travel back in time to ancient Jerusalem and unlock the secrets of Solomon's Temple, the Ark of the Covenant, and King Hezekiah's tunnel. Participants will experience the wonders of ancient Israel through an engaging and interactive slide presentation of ancient Jerusalem and the latest archaeological finds and discoveries. William G. Zimmerle

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Contact
Prema Deshmukh Program Manager
(215) 898-4065

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