Curriculum Resources
New Secondary Curriculum Archive
A Trail of two Cities – an art, design, architecture and geography project
Middlesbrough on Teesside has been dubbed in the press as 'the worst place in Britain to live today'. This project challenged
pupils to explore their local environment considering the positive benefits of the area. Year nine at Macmillan Academy, after
having taken their options and completing their SATs, were given a week long opportunity to investigate whether the development
of the new MIMA Contemporary Art Gallery on the river had boosted regeneration locally. In 'A Trail of Two Cities', they contrasted
Gateshead Quays and its Baltic Art Factory, with Middlehaven and Mima in Middlesbrough and investigated the range of architectural
styles in these areas. This necessitated a visit to MIMA to work in and around the Museum. Their findings presenting alternative ideas
for their towns’ development were finally staged in an exhibition. The project involved both art and design and geography departments
working together, with an ex-student who was studying to be an architect providing a practical architectural workshop.
Click for a Transcript of this video.