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Museums Learning newsletter New Year 2026

Happy New Year from Bristol Museums Learning!

We hope you all had a relaxing festive break and enjoying getting back to learning and teaching! We’re certainly looking forward to supporting you and your learners in 2026.

Coming-up we have events for National Story Telling Week and British Science Week for schools and home educators.

Thanks to all the teachers who took part in the first of our Teacher Forums last year. The next is in March with a Primary science focus so we hope to see you then!

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storyteller Marcus Fagon stands beside a tree smiling

Storytelling Week

National Storytelling Week (2–8 February) celebrates the art of oral storytelling, as well as reading and writing for enjoyment. This year, it’s part of the National Year of Reading 2026. To mark the occasion, Bristol Museums Learning has created a programme of events for learners and families.


Storytelling webinar

We had an amazing response from schools wanting to join Story Week at M Shed for National Storytelling Week. Unfortunately, we couldn’t fit everyone in, but there’s still good news.

There are a few spaces left for Year 4 and 5 classes to join an online storytelling session with local children’s author Polly Ho Yen.

Date: Wednesday 4 February
Time:1.30pm

To book your place, email lucy.fulton@bristol.gov.uk.


Family sessions
Alongside our schools' programme, M Shed will be running creative family activities during Story Week. These sessions are designed to spark imagination and bring stories to life for all ages.

Literacy Resources
If you can’t join the webinar, we’ve got resources to help you mark Storytelling Week. Discover oral histories, explore ancient Egyptian and Saxon tales, and use our teachers’ notes and activity guides to get the most out of this Literacy event.
Storytelling Week
fossils of plants and insects to use as part of handling museums learning

British Science Week
British Science Week (6 -15 March) is a fantastic opportunity for the Learning Team to showcase our expertise and collections by delivering a special science programme for schools and home educators.

This year’s topics - Rocks and Fossils, Predators and Prey, and Evolution - offer a wealth of science learning. With the national theme ‘Curiosity: What’s Your Question?’, children will have the chance to meet our curators and specialist Museum Educators, explore fascinating specimens, and ask plenty of questions!

We’re offering a mix of hands-on workshops and online webinars. For home-educating families, we have a dedicated workshop on Evolution, where children can deepen their understanding of how species change and adapt over time.
Explore British Science Week programme
an old yellow poster with a man dressed in green Edwardian costume. Words: Bonds of Bristol Nobility Chocoloates

Chocolate Week March 2026
Bristol and Chocolate – a sweet history!
Did you know Bristol has a rich chocolate-making heritage? At one time, Fry’s operated seven factories across the city.

Just in time for Easter, we’re offering Bristol and Chocolate workshops for schools, where children will:
  • Explore Bristol’s chocolate industry
  • Handle real artefacts from local chocolate factories
  • Discover what life was like working in a chocolate factory
  • Create their own ‘chocolates’ (using salt dough) to take back to school
Plus, on 25 March, we’re running a special Home Educator workshop all about Bristol and chocolate.
Chocolate Week workshops: Book here
a mosaic floor inside a Roman villa

Home Educator workshops

Our spring programme for Home Educators is available to book!

Learners have the opportunity to see and handle real or replica specimens and artefacts; meet curators and other subject specialists; have facilitated tours (sometimes behind the scenes) and take part in creative activities linked with a topic. Group numbers are capped at 18 participants so  learners can fully engage in a quieter, relaxed environment.

15 January    Romans and Bristol 

28 January    Transatlantic Traffic in Enslaved Africans

11 February   Ancient Egypt

12 March       Evolution

25 March       Bristol and chocolate
Book Home Educator workshops
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International Women's Day- Live Learning event

Join our FREE webinar this International Women’s Day (8 March) as we celebrate the achievements and legacies of six remarkable Bristol women.

Throughout history, many Brilliant Bristol Women have shaped lives and communities, yet some remain less well-known. In this special school webinar, discover the inspiring stories of Hyacinth Hall, Dorothy Hodgkin, Princess Campbell, Dr Elizabeth Blackwell, Carmen Beckford and Sarah Guppy.

Date: 2 March 1.30pm - 2.25pm 
Suitable for: Years 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Availability: Multiple classes from different schools
Book FREE schools webinar
a person is attending an online meeting and you can view a laptop screen with online attendees

Next Teacher's Forum - 11 March 2026
ONLINE Teachers’ Forum (Primary Science Focus): Wednesday 11 March 4pm-4.45pm

Calling all primary teachers with an interest in teaching Science.

The Bristol Museums Learning team is reviewing our Primary Science programme, and we’d love to hear from teachers who can share their insights and expertise.

Join us to explore the resources and opportunities we currently offer and help shape the future of our Science provision. There’s no commitment beyond attending a single online session.

As a thank you participants will receive Wildlife Photographer of the Year tickets (open until 26 April 2026).
Register your interest with lucy.fulton@bristol.gov.uk
Three standing stones in a field at Avebury

Winter Lectures

Our Winter Lectures are a great chance for educators to learn and share knowledge. Two talks are left for this winter programme, both great topics for the upcoming British Science Week.

12 February – Facing Extinction
Join Dolly Jørgensen, Professor of History at the University of Stavanger, Norway, as she explores how museums around the world display extinct species.

12 March – Avebury: Circular Arguments?
Professors Mark Gillings and Joshua Pollard reveal fresh insights into the Neolithic monument of Avebury. Despite centuries of study, much about Avebury remains unknown. Recent research is challenging old ideas and uncovering remarkable new details about this ancient landscape.

Tickets are pay what you can. Thanks to the generous sponsorship from the Friends of Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives, these Winter Lectures will be held in person at M Shed and online via Zoom.

Spotlight on.......

Exhibitions and events



Visit: Bristol Museums 'What's On' for more.
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Family Arts Standards



We are now #FantasticforFamilies, thanks to the Family Arts Standards you can be sure our events are designed for all family members to enjoy together.

We're proud join this community of over 800 organisations and individuals committed to improving our family offer through the Family Arts Standards.
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