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The careers covered in our resources below include those in the museum, as well as across wider industries reflected in our collections, such as STEM, art and design, and natural sciences.
Our careers resources are designed for use in both classroom and home settings and provide learners with a range of opportunities to increase their awareness of future choices, and also raise their expectations and aspirations (A Curriculum for Excellence).
They include films, workbooks, trails and activities for pupils working in upper primary (Second Level), Third and Fourth Levels and the Senior Phase of Secondary education.
The resources also aim to contribute towards your pupils’ ‘I can’ statements in the Careers Education Standard (Developing Young Workforce Scotland), e.g. I can discuss the relevance of skills to the wider world and make connections between skills and the world of work.
You can also direct your pupils to our Resources for Pupils page, where there are more helpful links, videos and resources, especially for those who want to find out more about careers in museums.
Discover our career resources and programmes aimed at pupils.
Resources for PupilsWatch the video below to find out about the key work skills required for the job of a museum Enabler.
These words occur during the Enabler film and may assist pupils in understanding the content:
Archaeology: The scientific study of material remains (such as tools, pottery, jewellery, stone walls and monuments) of human life and activities in the past.
Creative: Having or showing imagination. Having new, original ideas.
Dementia: A serious illness of the brain, that results in the loss of thinking, remembering and reasoning skills.
Dynamic: Full of energy or new and exciting ideas.
Geology: A science that investigates the history of the Earth and its life, especially as recorded in rocks.
Sociable: A person or a group of people who are friendly, welcoming and ready for activities.
Zoology: The scientific study of animals.
Enablers are part of the team who help people learn more about the museum’s collections by delivering workshops, events and activities. This job is all about People and Communication. Would your pupils like to do a job like this?
Many face-to-face aspects of the Enabler job role have changed during the coronavirus pandemic. Reflect on what aspects of the role have needed to change and why.
Curriculum Levels & Links
HWB 2-20a/HWB 3-20a/HWB 4-20a: I am investigating different careers/occupations, ways of working, and learning and training paths. I am gaining experience that helps me recognise the relevance of my learning, skills and interests to my future life.
See below for follow on activities aimed at Primary and Secondary pupils.
What is it?
A powerpoint resource full of follow-on activity ideas for pupils in Upper Primary which is suitable for use in the classroom or at home.
Curriculum links
HWB 2-20a: I am investigating different careers/occupations, ways of working, and learning and training paths. I am gaining experience that helps me recognise the relevance of my learning, skills and interests to my future life.
Curriculum level
Second Level (Upper Primary)
What is it?
A powerpoint resource full of follow-on activity ideas for Secondary pupils which is suitable for use in the classroom or at home.
Curriculum links
HWB 3-20a/HWB 4-20a: I am investigating different careers/occupations, ways of working, and learning and training paths. I am gaining experience that helps me recognise the relevance of my learning, skills and interests to my future life.
Curriculum levels
Third, Fourth and Senior Levels (Secondary Pupils)
What is it?
A downloadable workbook which inspires your pupils to create their own exhibition at home, virtually, or in the classroom. Pupils can explore displays in their local museum, or use Google Street View to explore the National Museum of Scotland.
Curriculum links
Curriculum levels
Second, Third and Fourth Levels (Upper Primary to early Secondary)
Download to print
What is it?
A teaching resource by Museums Galleries Scotland which supports schools and museums in working together to develop pupils’ aspirations and career ready skills. This toolkit guides you and your class through an exciting interdisciplinary project. Using museum collections, pupils will build on their knowledge, develop transferable skills, and discover the diversity of job roles in the museum sector.
Curriculum links
Curriculum levels
This pack has been made with P7 and S1 groups in mind. You will find activities throughout that can be adapted to the needs of your group.
What is it?
A downloadable worksheet.
Due to our current gallery restrictions, the second stop on this trail (the Glowing Pig touch screen) is temporarily unavailable.
What does it involve?
The opportunity to explore different career paths through our galleries at the National Museum of Scotland (or virtually, by using Google Street View). Find out about exciting discoveries in science and technology and how they have helped improve people’s lives. Learn some interesting job facts and find out where to go for more information.
Curriculum level
Second Level (Upper Primary)
What is it?
A downloadable worksheet.
What does it involve?
Find out why banking has been important for over 400 years! Journey through the National Museum of Scotland to discover the history of money and banking in Scotland. Compare and contrast how we use money today with what people did in the past and design your own advert for a bank. Learn some interesting job facts about banking and find out where to go for more information.
Curriculum levels
Second Level (Upper Primary) and S1-3 (Lower Secondary)
Upper Primary trail
Secondary trail
Trail answers
What is it?
A downloadable worksheet.
What does it involve?
Find out how to design and create buildings that are practical, attractive and safe. Discover how buildings have changed over the years and use what you’ve learned to design your own building. Learn some interesting job facts about architecture and find out where to go for more information.
Curriculum levels
Second Level (Upper Primary) and S1-3 (Lower Secondary)
Upper Primary trail
Secondary trail
Trail answers
What is it?
A downloadable worksheet.
What does it involve?
The opportunity to explore different career paths through our galleries at the National Museum of Scotland (or virtually, by using Google Street View). Discover some of the key objects in our Art, Design and Fashion collections. Think about their materials, form and the social and cultural context in which they were designed, made and used. Sketch out your own ideas and solutions to our design challenges.
Curriculum level
National 5 or Higher Art & Design students (Secondary Pupils)
