Discovering History Beyond the Classroom: A Trip to the Imperial War Museum North

As part of their second-year studies, BA Educational and Learning students from the University of Greater Manchester stepped outside the classroom and into the rich, immersive world of the Imperial War Museum North. Their visit wasn’t just a day out—it was an opportunity to experience learning in action, bringing to life themes of history, culture, and education.

For student Yasin Ahmed, the museum wasn’t simply a place to view artefacts; it was a “treasure chest” of stories, offering interactive ways to connect with history. “Museums allow us to see into the past,” Yasin shared. “Trying on World War helmets, seeing familiar cultural items, even spotting things from my favourite video games—it made it personal.” The museum’s use of virtual reality (VR) also fascinated Yasin, showing how technology can enhance learning by allowing students to imagine and explore history in immersive ways.

Beth reflected on how museums create powerful connections between history and the present. She explained how the museum provided facts, artefacts, and real-life stories that helped her understand not just what happened during the World Wars, but how these events continue to shape our world. “It raises questions,” she noted, encouraging students to think critically and reflect on how the past influences today.

The interactive features left a strong impression. “Listening to soldiers’ stories through headphones, watching projected films with real war sounds—it’s something you can’t experience just from a book,” shared another student. From films in the museum’s main lobby to hands-on exhibits, the experience brought learning to life in a deeply engaging way.

The visit also sparked connections to students’ wider studies. One student linked insights from the museum to their research on education systems in France, seeing how historical alliances during wartime influenced international relations. “Each object had a story—who it belonged to, why it mattered,” they explained, demonstrating how educational trips can bridge subjects and inspire curiosity across disciplines.

A visit like this isn’t just about history; it’s about inspiring future educators to think creatively about how learning happens. The museum allowed students to reflect on remembrance, sacrifice, and resilience—ideas they can carry into their future teaching practice.

Whether through handling artefacts, engaging with interactive exhibits, or linking historical events to global learning, the trip exemplified the power of experiential education. For these BA Educational and Learning students, it wasn’t just a museum visit—it was an unforgettable learning journey, equipping them with inspiration, empathy, and a deeper understanding of the world they will help shape as educators.

Clare Higgins, Programme Leader, said “The Imperial War Museum North is a particularly special field trip for the BA (Hons) Education and Learning at the University of Greater Manchester. Most of the students have not been to this museum before and it provides excellent opportunities for reflection on the wider world in addition to linking to their module on Global Education. The museum also provides excellent examples of different career opportunities for graduates of the degree, including museum education officer who provide interactive sessions for school children. I took my year 4 classes when I was a primary school teacher and it is one of the most significant school trips for many of the children. Ensuring learning is relevant to the real world is one of the most important jobs of educators and the IWM is a great way that we do it!”

For more information contact Clare c.higgins@bolton.ac.uk or visit the course page https://www.bolton.ac.uk/course/EDU057-F-UOB-SX