Archive of Heritage workshops for schools

These workshops are currently in hibernation getting a well earned rest
but feel free to browse through the resources for the Light and Flight workshops.

Elementary: Light and Flight

'Sightseeing in Egypt with Ibn al Haytham'

Exploring the world of Light with one of the earliest 'mad' scientists [Click here]

Original Hands On Heritage Light Graffiti

'Flying over Spain with Abbas Ibn Firnas'

Exploring the skies over Cordoba with this daredevil inventor [Click here]

courtesy SAWDIA/SaudiAramcoWorld

Middle School: Water systems

'Going with the Flow in Turkey'
 Meet Engineer Extraordinaire Al Jazari and interact with the Science of Fluid Mechanics

High School: Bias and perspective
'The Blind Men and The Elephant'
Telling the Whole Story: Under the Influence of Ethnocentrism

Wringing out water in zero gravity?

Astronaut Chris Hadfield, aboard the International Space Station, conducts an experiment designed by a pair of Grade 10 students from Nova Scotia! What happens to the surface tension of water in space?

Host a workshop!

Hands On Heritage is now in its second year of activities. We have fun exploring our local heritage from Multicultural perspectives.

Here are some of the workshops conducted so far:

Ibn al Haytham, Medieval Egypt & the Science of Light

Abbas Ibn Firnas: Aviation pioneer in Medieval Spain

American Sign Language for kids

Introduction to Chinese & Muslims in China


Special Charity Entrepeneurs Day Camp:

Campers had great fun creating social awareness by producing a radio show, making gifts for their neighbours, scrapbooking, and inventing products for charity fundraisers.

If your school or community group is interested in hosting any of our elementary level heritage programs, from a faith-based or non-denominational approach, give us a shout at HandsOnHeritage@Gmail.com

Amazing Race Toronto: What a workout!

Phew! My team of young girls and I got quite the crash course in Toronto and its landmarks this weekend as we took part in the Amazing Race: Toronto. This event was a girls only scavenger hunt organized by a local Ryerson grad.

The morning of the race, we arrived bleary eyed and uncoordinated at Union Station to discover teams who showed up in matching outfits from purple stripey legwarmers to colour coded headgear. We and another group of friends formed 2 of the youngest teams there. Our team also had the slight disadvantage that their chaperone (me) aint exactly street savvy when it comes to downtown Toronto.

Anyway, armed with a transit pass, street maps, our dying Tom Tom and my dear husband's smart phone we were off interpreting clues and rushing from one landmark to another . Some of our pitstops were Toronto's first post office, St Lawrence Market, the Hockey Hall of Fame (well the food court part) as well as Platform 9 3/4 on the Spadina University subway line. Weird and wonderful activities at each point included handling chocolate eggs with chopsticks, solving logic puzzles and downing a whole can of whipped cream. We rose to 3rd place despite 'team red headscarf' jumping into a taxi ahead of us at one point.

Our downfall was (the chaperone) misreading a clue that took us to U of T instead of the 'other' great institution, Ryerson. Nevertheless we were enthusiastically cheered on by the winning teams and the awesome organizers at Nathan Phillips Square as we trudged into last place. Our friends in the other tween team had made it ahead of us. So as we headed home on the train, our limbs were weary but our spirits were not: determined to 'bring it' for the next Amazing Race!

VIDEO: Ibn al Haytham's Camera Obscura...

For those of you interested in our workshop: Sightseeing in Egypt with Ibn al Haytham, watch this video about his cool experiments with Light and his Camera Obscura:

Scientist Adam Hart-Davis: Taking a picture of a castle using a giant medieval 'shed' camera 3:00 - 5:31

Scientist Ibn al Haytham: Taking a picture of a mosque using a giant medieval 'tent' camera 

(Image: courtesy of www.1001inventions.com)

Did you know?

• There's a great fictionalised story called Ibn Al Haytham & The Mad Caliph
• One of the craters on the moon, 'Alhazen' is named after Ibn al Haytham?

POSTPONED: Snap! Photography for teen girls

Capture the vintage streetscapes of Historic Unionville, Ontario with your friends

Grab a friend and get creative with your camera as you discover water features, shaded woodlots, ice cream parlours, chocolate shops, chic boutiques and vintage architecture.

Explore the possibilities of composition, lighting and subject matter with our local artist.
Your best pics get published on our blog. Camera required, preferably digital for each participant.
Date Change: postponed STAY TUNED FOR NEW DATE
Ages 12-18 Girls only
Cost: $15 - payable in advance
Workshops have been selling out fast, so be sure to confirm your spot with advance payment.Limited spots!
Scouts, you can work towards your Photography badge at this session.
Meeting point: parking lot on Carlton Rd between Art gallery and Toogood Pond.
Address: Frederick Horseman Varley Art Gallery, 216 Main Street, Unionville - at intersection of Main St and Carlton Rd.
Contact handsonheritage@gmail.com