During the autumn and early winter, CREA implemented a structured programme of educational activities aimed at primary schools, with the objective of promoting silk culture and raising awareness of the silkworm among younger generations. The initiatives took place at the Esapolis Museum in Padua and involved a total of 17 classes from 5 primary schools belonging to 3 Comprehensive Institutes in the Veneto region, engaging more than 330 students overall.
CREA staff took an active role in all phases of the activities, guiding children and teachers through an educational pathway that combined scientific observation, hands-on activities, and knowledge of the silk tradition. The extremely positive response from both students and teachers highlighted the effectiveness of an educational approach based on direct experience and live observation of silkworm larvae.
Proposed activities
Over the course of the various sessions, children took part in three main activities:
- observation of the silkworm in its different larval instar, from larvae to chrysalises and moths, with explanations of the life cycle and the characteristics of different strains;
- a creative workshop to make a silkworm on a mulberry leaf, using cardboard, glue, and natural coloured cocoons provided by CREA;
- cocoon reeling using a small wooden reeling machine, producing a skein of silk used to create a bracelet.
17 October – Educational workshops for the RITESSERE exhibition
On 17 October, on the occasion of the travelling exhibition RITESSERE, hosted at the Esapolis Museum, CREA organised a day of educational workshops for primary schools entitled Discovering Silk and the Silkworm. The programme also included a guided tour of the exhibition led by CREA staff.
Two classes from the “Don Angelo Bertolin” Primary School of the Comprehensive Institute (a group of schools under a single school administration) “Tomaso Albinoni” in Selvazzano Dentro (PD) took part, for a total of 44 students:
– Class III A – 22 students
– Class III B – 22 students
5 November – Educational workshop day at the Esapolis Museum
On 5 November, a second day of educational workshops was held at the Esapolis Museum, aimed at primary schools and structured according to CREA’s educational programme.
Five classes from the “G. Marconi” Primary School in Tombelle, part of the “Elena Lucrezia Corner” Comprehensive Institute of Fossò and Vigonovo (PD), participated, involving a total of 83 students:
– Class 1A – 15 students
– Class 2A – 21 students
– Class 3A – 17 students
– Class 4A – 14 students
– Class 5A – 16 students
11 December – Educational workshop day with the Paese Comprehensive Institute
On 11 December, the final day of educational workshops took place at the Esapolis Museum, characterised by broad participation from classes of the State Comprehensive Institute of Paese “C. Casteller” (TV).
Ten classes took part, involving approximately 205 students from three school campuses:
“G. Pascoli” Primary School – Castagnole:
– 1A – 19 students
– 2A – 26 students
– 4A – 22 students
– 4B – 26 students
“On. A. Visentin” Primary School – Postioma:
– 1A – 19 students
– 1B – 17 students
– 2A – 19 students
Primary School of Loc. Treforni:
– 2A – 17 students
– 2B – 17 students
– 4A – 23 students
A highly valuable educational experience
The days at the Esapolis Museum represented an important opportunity for interaction between scientific research, silk tradition, and schools. The strong involvement of CREA staff and the active participation of the children made the activities particularly effective and engaging. Teachers and students expressed great enthusiasm for the experience, recognising its educational and cultural value and the importance of introducing younger generations to knowledge of the silkworm and silk as a scientific, historical, and productive heritage. This approach is fully aligned with the objectives of Veneto Regional Law L.R. 13 March 2024, no. 6, and Regional Government Resolution DGR no. 1386 of 25 November 2024, which allocated funding to schools for activities related to mulberry cultivation and sericulture.