HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS GET A TASTE OF BUSINESS CLASS
16/12/2009
The Scottish Mining Museum in Dalkeith, Midlothian, welcomed over 50 pupils from Liberton High School this week, offering them a real taste of all the different roles associated with the museum, and how it runs as a business. Pupils from the S2 Business Education class were given the opportunity to join Gillian Rankin, Marketing Officer and Robin Robertson, Visitor Services Manager for a practical lesson in obtaining and retaining visitors.
Before putting their knowledge to the test, the pupils watched a presentation about the Scottish Mining Museum and the different elements needed to help maintain its position as a VisitScotland nominated Five Star visitor attraction. In groups of between six and eight, the pupils were tasked with creating ways to attract visitors to the museum.
Business Education teacher, Carol Wilson said: “This is the first time that we have introduced S2 classes to the Business Education course, which provides them with a taste of life in the business world to help them see if it is something they enjoy.
Students at the school can take Business Studies in third and fourth year, so we try to give them experiences in different environments to observe how businesses work. The Scottish Mining Museum is very enthusiastic about its work and this has had a very positive effect on the children, they came up with some great ideas!”
All students from the S2 Business Education class were given the chance to attend the special lessons at the museum throughout the week.
Pupil Hazel Thorburn (14) said: “The museum is fascinating and we got the opportunity to work together and come up with ideas. We also get to see a real workplace and it gives us a better idea of what jobs are like when you’re old, we are very lucky these days!”
The Scottish Mining Museum is made up of interactive exhibitions, a hands-on operations centre and offers the opportunity for visitors to put on a helmet and tour the Pithead, where miners descended into the darkness of the underground mines.
Gillian Rankin, Scottish Mining Museum’s Marketing Officer stated: “Education is a big part of the Scottish Mining Museum, we offer fun and exciting exhibitions and tours, however, the museum is also very informative. It is important for us to build links with schools in order to educate young people on the history of Scotland and the importance mining played, both locally and nationally.
“It takes many staff across many areas of business to make the museum a success, and the pupils from Liberton High School recognised this and I was extremely impressed by their efforts.”