After six weeks of deep exploration into the wonders of Ancient Egypt, our students had the incredible opportunity to bring their learning to life during our field trip to the museum in Leiden. Throughout our IPC unit, we studied various aspects of this ancient civilization—its beliefs, daily life, gods, pharaohs, the process of mummification, the construction of pyramids, and its lasting legacy. Seeing real artifacts in person made the experience even more meaningful.
Students were captivated by the beautifully decorated sarcophagi, an actual mastaba—the burial place of a wealthy Egyptian—real human mummies, and even animal mummies, including a baboon, a cat, a crocodile, and an ibis. It was amazing to see how well our students could apply their knowledge, engage in discussions with our guide, and confidently share their insights. Their enthusiasm and expertise truly impressed everyone!
Beyond observing, students also took part in interactive activities, testing their ability to distinguish between real and fake Egyptian artifacts based on their understanding of ancient craftsmanship. They succeeded brilliantly! Another exciting challenge involved identifying different scented substances used in Egyptian temples as offerings to the gods—some familiar, like beeswax and storax, while others, like coffee and lavender, were not present in Ancient Egypt.
This unforgettable trip was the perfect way to conclude our unit, allowing students to connect everything they had learned in a tangible and exciting way. A huge compliment to our fantastic students for their engagement, curiosity, and impressive critical thinking skills. What a wonderful learning journey it has been!
