Maria Sibylla Merian

 

Meet Maria Sibylla Merian, a 17th century German artist who helped pioneer the study of insects and other minibeasts. It is 1699, and Maria is preparing to travel to Suriname with her daughter. Follow Maria on her adventure as she travels to Suriname and back.

A portrait of a young woman from the shoulders up. Her curly hair is partially pulled back in a bun, and gauzy fabric neatly wraps her shoulders.
Maria Sibylla Merian in 1679, as painted by Jacob Marrel. Credit: Public Domain.

Topics discussed include:

  • Maria Sibylla Merian’s background
  • How she became an artist
  • How she developed her interest in insects, spiders, frogs and other creatures
  • Information about insects and other minibeasts, including body parts and life cycles
  • Challenges she faced as an independent woman in the 1700s
  • Her contributions to entomology and her lasting legacy

 

Why study Maria Sibylla Merian?

In addition to being an exciting lady in her own right, Maria ticks a lot of boxes for Key Stage 1 cross-curricular learning in history and science. These include:

  • Studying the life of a significant individual in the past who has contributed to national and international achievements.
  • Working scientifically and looking more closely at the natural world.
  • Identifying insects and observing their life cycles and parts of the body.

 

How Does the Workshop Work?

The new workshops consist of two key elements:

  • Individual activities kits for each child in your group .
  • A pre-recorded video made by our knowledgeable teachers.

The workshops can take place in your own room at your own pace – we give you access to the video for several days, so you can rewind, replay, or break up the activities as you see fit.

Most schools find that the workshops fill half a day, although you can spread them out as you see fit.

 

What Activities are Included?

Five items are shown grouped together: a dragonfly made of pipe cleaners and acetate wings, a paper study book, a copper foil butterfly engraving, a gauze bag with herbs, and two small seed balls made of clay.
Objects the children will make during the Maria Sibylla Merian workshop.

As mentioned, each child will receive an activities kit to match the video. There are a few basic supplies such as glue sticks, scissors, and pencils that the school will need to provide, but otherwise the children will receive the necessary materials to make six projects:

  • A study book
  • An engraving
  • A dragonfly
  • An illustrated life cycle
  • An herb bag
  • A seed ball

The workshop will also come with an information sheet for teachers, which will detail the learning outcomes, extra supplies that might be needed and possible follow-up learning.

 

How Much Does a Virtual Workshop Cost?

Please visit our pricing page for the latest costings.

 

How Do I Book a Workshop?

Please feel free to contact us by form, e-mail or telephone. Let us know the week you would like to use the workshop, and whether you would like the optional live teaching time, and we are happy to help.

Since the virtual workshops do not depend on our diary, you may order them at anytime. (But do allow enough time for delivery!)

 

Do You Offer an In-School Version of the Workshop?

Sadly, no. Our virtual format makes it possible for us to explore new topics we might not otherwise be able to offer.