Help the students to talk about their preferences and knowledge, by asking some questions:
1- Do you or have you ever collected anything?
2- If yes, what kinds of things have you collected (hockey cards, minerals, pins and badges, cowbells, etc.)?
3- During our visit to the museum, did you see any objects that you also collect?
4- What would you like to collect?
All answers are open-ended and allow the teacher to use them in further learning with the students.
The procedure
Using an illustrated sequence, invite the students to follow the path to preservation of an object acquired by a museum.
1. Show the students the photos of the nest of a Common Eider. Also show them how this object is preserved.
Note to the teacher: This path is an example with useful, fictitious information for the teacher to use to stimulate discussions about collecting information when a new acquisition is received and the care objects in the collection require. The example of the nest and eggs is taken from collections in a natural sciences museum, but it is important to stress the fact that collecting wild bird eggs and nests is banned by law.
© 2010, Musée de la nature et des sciences inc. All Rights Reserved.
The nest of a Common Eider
Musée de la nature et des sciences de Sherbrooke
© 2010, Musée de la nature et des sciences inc. All Rights Reserved.
The nest of a Common Eider in a made-to-measure box
Musée de la nature et des sciences de Sherbrooke
© 2010, Musée de la nature et des sciences inc. All Rights Reserved.
The nest of a Common Eider is stored in a drawer with other nests
Musée de la nature et des sciences de Sherbrooke
© 2010, Musée de la nature et des sciences inc. All Rights Reserved.
Name of the object: Nest of the Common Eider Date of donation: 28/04/2010
Step 1 Proposal to acquire (donation, purchase, collection)
Arrival of the nest at the museum of the nest of a Common Eider in a cardboard box
Step 2 Acceptance or refusal
Should the object be accepted? Is it missing from the collection? Will it enhance the value of the collection?
For a museum in the natural sciences with no Common Eider nest, the object would be a good acquisition.
Step 3 Documentation
If the object is accepted, a number is attributed to it and the information about the object is recorded.
In a museum, the following information is recorded:
• The acquisition number: 2010.5 (this number indicates to the museum that this nest is the 5th donation of 2010)
• Name of the object: Common Eider nest with 4 eggs
• Name of the donor or collector: Service de la faune (wildlife service)
• Provenance: St-John Read More
Name of the object: Nest of the Common Eider Date of donation: 28/04/2010
Step 1 Proposal to acquire (donation, purchase, collection)
Arrival of the nest at the museum of the nest of a Common Eider in a cardboard box
Step 2 Acceptance or refusal
Should the object be accepted? Is it missing from the collection? Will it enhance the value of the collection?
For a museum in the natural sciences with no Common Eider nest, the object would be a good acquisition.
Step 3 Documentation
If the object is accepted, a number is attributed to it and the information about the object is recorded.
In a museum, the following information is recorded:
• The acquisition number: 2010.5 (this number indicates to the museum that this nest is the 5th donation of 2010)
• Name of the object: Common Eider nest with 4 eggs
• Name of the donor or collector: Service de la faune (wildlife service)
• Provenance: St-John
• Use: The feathers of the Common Eider are used as a form of insulation in many products.
• Other pertinent information such as the history, any anecdotes about the object: A pair of Common Eiders was studied in a research project but one morning the female was found dead beside her nest. The wildlife service removed the nest to give it to the museum.
* The Act forbids anyone from removing bird nests or eggs without having first obtained the necessary authorization.
Step 4 Stabilization
Is the object fragile? Does it require any special care? How should it be stored? What materials should be used?
In this case, a box of corrogated plastic is quite adequate.
Step 5 Registration and entering in the information system
The information gathered is organized to make it easily retrieved. The exact place where the object will be placed is noted. Most museums have a computerized registration system. At home, a filing cabinet for technical sheets may be sufficient.
Step 6 Classification and storage
The object will be classified with other birds’ nests which appear to be related to it, in a drawer where it is safe from dirt and light. Because it is made of organic materials, it could attract pests, such as insects. A regular inspection will help to prevent this kind of damage.
© 2010, Musée de la nature et des sciences inc. All Rights Reserved.
3. Lead a discussion on the type of treatment needed to adequately protect these objects.
4. Give out a route log sheet to the students. They can note the information they learn during the activity.
Note to the teacher: Depending on the object chosen, the number of steps and the terms used for each may change. For example, in the first case, the object could have been purchased or collected rather than a donation.
3. Lead a discussion on the type of treatment needed to adequately protect these objects.
4. Give out a route log sheet to the students. They can note the information they learn during the activity.
Note to the teacher: Depending on the object chosen, the number of steps and the terms used for each may change. For example, in the first case, the object could have been purchased or collected rather than a donation.
© 2010, Musée de la nature et des sciences inc. All Rights Reserved.
Route log sheet for note the information they learn during the activity.
Musée de la nature et des sciences de Sherbrooke
© 2010, Musée de la nature et des sciences inc. All Rights Reserved.
Learning Objectives
• Define what is meant by preservation;
• Describe the steps in preservation;
• Analyze the sequence of conservation;
• Highlight tools, objects and procedure in the science and technology;
• Communicate in the language used in science and technology.
