Falmouth Art Gallery has launched a new initiative using the art gallery's automata and papier mch collection to deliver objectives of the National Curriculum in a creative and inspiring way.

Teachers from Cornwall's schools and local automata makers have worked in partnership with staff from Falmouth Art Gallery to create the pack. It covers many subjects across the curriculum and will encourage children to explore a wide range of skills.

The packs were given to local schools free. The contents include examples of automata from Falmouth Art Gallery's collection, a brief history; design and making sheets, instructions and a wooden starter kit., as well as useful websites and ideas for cross curriculum projects. They also included pictures of automata designed by primary school children and instructions written by them.

The project was piloted and tested by Marlborough School over a whole term during which pupils designed their own exhibition catalogue and wrote instructions. At the end of the project they explained their work to younger pupils as part of Speaking and Listening. Their ideas were then used in the pack to create user friendly instructions which could be utilised over a wide range of ages and abilities.

The teachers' notes were compiled by primary teachers during a seminar held by Falmouth Art Gallery. Nina Cooper from King Charles School led the seminar. The teachers brain stormed ideas for links across the National Curriculum, and these ideas were incorporated into the pack.

Local advisory teachers included Mrs Ruth Main, Falmouth Primary School, Mrs Anne Richards, Pencoys CP, and Linda Cox, St Michaels CP.

Although in its early days, the automata pack has so far been a resounding success and the gallery has had very positive feedback from teachers, said curator Brian Stewart. "We have had requests for the packs from schools, museums and organisations across the UK, which was partly due to the success of our last SWMLAC funded project - the Speaking and Listening pack for Key Stages 1 + 2."