Schoolchildren encourage the return of visits to island museums

Goretti Gil is the teacher of these 40 children from the 3rd grade of Primary, between 8 and 9 years old, from the lagoon center. They enjoy in the Patio Antonio Pintor an exclusive workshop for this day, Mares de Plástico. It is taught by the sociocultural animator and monitor, Ángel Trujillo. This young chicharrero shows the vocational spirit with which he tries to “make children aware of what we humans do wrong in the chain of sustainability when plastics that pollute the sea are thrown away.” He considers that “these children have a lot of information, perhaps too much, and I think that it is necessary to explain to them with the game as a basis for them to become aware.”

Alejandro de Vera is close to the little ones. He meets the condition of father and coordinator of Marine Biology at MUNA. Lucía Nahia, Itziar, Enzo, Hugo, Mateo, Thiago, Daniela, Alexia… Everyone pays attention and learns while playing because playfulness prevails. The teacher explains that “this activity is very important because now they study animals and plants.” She repeats something that will be common throughout the day: “I really wanted to get out of the classroom after two years without power due to the pandemic.” Alejandro explains that this initiative aims to raise awareness of the damage caused by plastic waste in the sea. It is linked to “a recent investigation -began in December of last year- of the Museum of Natural Sciences -one of the two legs of the MUNA- on the effects of microplastics on the plankton that floats on the surface of the oceans”. There are still no conclusions about the work and he does not want to advance anything but he explains that “we have found much more plastic than we expected.”

‘Lighting the fuse’.

The auditorium of this workshop with a suggestive name that is held in the Patrio del Flamboyán is made up of another group of 35 students with ages and grades similar to those of the Nuryana lagoons. They come from farther away, from CEIP Adoración Rodríguez Alonso in Playa San Juan (Guía de Isora) with their teachers, Estefanía, Nuria and Nazaret at the front. They confirm that “it is very important to be able to leave classes” and point out another detail: “These types of centers are very far from our environment in the south and we must take advantage of the visit.” Clementina and Mario, monitors like Ángel, give the explanations. Candelaria Rosario, MUNA archaeologist, details: «It is about creating lights as they have been developed throughout history. From the present backwards or backwards with the aboriginal world as the end or beginning. They themselves create in the clay, which they manipulate, their own containers and then they know the characteristics and how the aborigines did it». A historical and archaeological journey through the lights from the universal importance of light. She names her partner, Carmen Benito, a designer with her in the workshop. Before saying goodbye to her, Candelaria enthusiastically encourages her to attend another workshop, in which children between the ages of 3 and 7 dramatize the story of Chipeque, a small aborigine and his goat. She recalls the visit of blind people from ONCE to feel the human remains of the mummies of our ancestors as a “highlight” during this very special week.

Professionals.

Néstor Yanes is the coordinator of Diffusion, Communication and Design of Museums of Tenerife. He goes out of his way to make sure everything goes well. Raquel Reyes, his partner, administrative assistant for Education and Cultural Action, keeps a record of visitors and highlights Brother Pedro’s group. Special children who surprise him with his artistic ability. She recalls that “this week more than a thousand schoolchildren from all over the Island visit us. It is a joy to recover these guided tours. She mentions another group of 60 children from the El Monte educational center in Guargacho (Arona) who visit the MUNA on the 25th after two years without extracurricular activities. She values: “I know cases of groups that have had difficulties finding a bus and moving to Santa Cruz.”

Invitation.

The Cabildo de Tenerife celebrates Museum Day with a program full of science. The councilor of the area, Concepción Rivero, emphasizes that these activities are an opportunity to get closer to these spaces and invites the population to participate in the activities of the extensive planned program.

The five museums under the responsibility of the Insular Autonomous Organism are

Concepción Rivero values: “They are incomparable places of discovery and have the power to transform the world around us.” The International Council of Museums, ICOM, proposes this year as the motto The power of museums, through specific lines of work: sustainability, innovation in digitization and accessibility, as well as community building through education.

Recovery.

Rivero points out that “we are very happy with how the museums have been filled with visitors again.” He recalls that so far this year more than 65,000 people have attended them, “a very important figure that makes us believe that in 2022 we will reach those registered before the pandemic.” He adds that “it is a great incentive to organize events and exhibitions with great support from the public in mind.” He announces that «we are going to continue in the line of filling the museums with life with activities». Rivero indicates that “the museums reflect the idiosyncrasy of the Island and allow us to get closer to its culture and history. They are a tourist attraction and the perfect place to enjoy our roots”. He invites you to visit them. The children respond and return to the museums of Tenerife.