Little Archeologists in Dunhuang

Project Type: Professional Project with TOSEE ART EDUCATION
Project Location: Dunhuang Museum, Dunhuang, Gansu, China
My Role in the Team: Project Leader / Main Content Contributor/ Gallery Teacher
Team Member: Qian Chen, Xiu Yao, Keying Chen

This was a gallery teaching project developed to introduce the culture and history of Dunhuang to young audiences using the historical artifacts on display in the Dunhuang Museum. The project was designed based on Object-Based Learning theory and executed based on Visual Thinking Strategy (VTS).

Siyao teaching about the ancient post office (置，zhì) in Dunhuang through models and teaching about Han dynasty stone carvings to the parents audiences. Photo by Xiu Yao.

The project led the learners to discover fun historical facts about Dunhuang through closely observing more than eight cultural objects that were representative of their specific time periods. Learners were encouraged to examine objects through archeological lenses while learning gradually about the tools, methods, and perspectives used by archeologists in China.

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Introducing Luoyang Shovel (洛阳铲), an archeological tool used by Chinese archeologists. Photo by Xiu Yao.

Learners also got the chance to recognize and play the ancient scores of Dunhuang using technological tools such as the Garage Band on iPad while experiencing the ancient Dunhuang culture through listening to the music they played.

Using technology to learn about ancient music. Stills from video by Xiu Yao.

During the gallery experience, learners used a customized learning brochure to record what they have learned at any time as well as to creatively respond to specific artifacts by drawing and designing.