Educational programmes
An exciting way to gain valuable knowledge and skills at the Museum. Our programmes are focused on the history of medicine and pharmaceutical science, as well as basic health literacy.
Life and death in Old Riga
A cultural educational session in the urban environment of Riga, during which it will be possible to learn about interesting and significant events and places related to the history of medicine, health care and hygiene from the 13th century to the present day.
During the game players representing immunity (IMUNO) or pathogens (PATO) move around the playing field taking up the game territory with their squares. The winner is the one who has occupied as much territory as possible and has gathered points in a strategically more successful way, by choosing more valuable playing fields. There will be gains and losses as well as surprises during the game – just like in our daily lives.
This programme is best suited for: families, individual groups
Lesson duration: 1.5-2 hours
Payment method: prepayment
Lesson fee: 50 EUR
Maximum number of participants per session: 20
Language of activity: Latvian, Russian
Apply by writing to nikola.rodionova@mvm.gov.lv
Masks in medicine
Remote museum pedagogical lesson. The mask has become an integral part of our daily lives, but in the past, masks were used only by doctors and for completely different reasons than we could imagine.
What secrets are kept by doctors’ and healers’ masks? Did they protect the patient, the doctor himself, or did they perform other unimaginable functions? How did doctors protect themselves by wearing masks at a time when microbes had not yet been discovered? Together with the children, we will seek answers to these and other questions in the online lesson “Masks in Medicine”, highlighting the role of science in the history of medicine and answering the question why the mask has become an integral part of our daily lives. Topics such as society, history, medicine, peculiarities of different cultures are discussed with the students. At the end of the lesson, a practical task is carried out – self-made masks will be created together. The remote learning activity will be provided on the Zoom platform, so it is necessary to make sure that children have access to a camera and a microphone for quality participation in the interactive part of the activities. The offer is included in the cultural education programme Latvian School Bag.
This programme is best suited for: school-goers in grades 1 to 6
Download materials for this course
Lesson duration: 1h
Necessary materials for the practical task: gauze 100 x 50 cm, cotton wool and scissors
Payment method: prepayment
Lesson fee: 25 EUR
Maximum number of participants per session: 20 people
Language of activity: Latvian, Russian
Apply by writing to: nikola.rodionova@mvm.gov.lv
Crazy professor’s first steps in chemistry
A practical introduction to the importance of chemistry in pharmacy in the past and present.
In an exciting way, students are thought about the importance of chemistry, pharmacy and alchemy. Students are introduced to the museum’s exposition, emphasizing the importance of chemistry in pharmacy. To create a visual idea of chemical processes, some practical chemical experiments are shown to students. Program is also available remotely.
This programme is best suited for: school-goers in grades 7 to 12
Lesson duration: 1h
Payment method: prepayment
Lesson fee: 25 EUR
Maximum number of participants per session: 25 people
Language of activity: Latvian, English
Applying: 67213008 or elvigs.kabucis@mvm.gov.lv
Following in alchemy's footsteps
A remote museum event for groups of friends, families or colleagues and others, sharing the history of pharmacy and the challenges of the alchemist’s profession in an entertaining way.
How long has it been since you visited a museum with friends, family or colleagues and saw something unique up close to investigate it more closely and joke about it together? The Museum of Pharmacy offers larger and smaller groups a trip to the past in an informal atmosphere, during which it will be possible to learn the nuances of the history of pharmacy, from experimental collecting of plants to a modern pharmacist’s assistant’s room. During the remote event, guests will be able to assess how strong was alchemists’ sense of humor and whether they were really doing magic, as well as to discover a number of secrets, such as what is an alchemist’s biggest professional failure. The event will take place on the Zoom platform and guests will be kept engaged by conversations on the site https://pollev.com/thegift077, which we recommend to open on the phone before the lesson. The site does not require registration. You will just need a good mood, internet connection, a charged phone and a computer for an exciting and exploratory get-together.
This programme is best suited for: adults
Lesson duration: 1h
Payment method: prepayment
Lesson fee: 30 EUR
Maximum number of participants per session: 25 people
Language of activity: Latvian, English
Apply by writing to: elvigs.kabucis@mvm.gov.lv
Revealing the secrets of medieval alchemists
A compelling insight into the history of pharmacies and the profession of pharmacist, highlighting the contribution of alchemists to the development of pharmacy and science.
The program invites you to visit an old pharmacy, a medieval alchemist’s laboratory, meet the alchemist himself and learn exciting stories of mysteries and discoveries over the centuries. In addition to information about the history of chemistry and pharmacy, participants will also learn about folk medicine and its importance in everyday life. The program is designed for different audiences to provide information in the most suitable and appropriate way for each age group.
This programme is best suited for: school-goers in grades 1 to 12
Lesson duration: 1h
Payment method: prepayment
Lesson fee: 25 EUR
Maximum number of participants per session: 25 people
Language of activity: Latvian, Russian, English
Applying: 67213008 or elvigs.kabucis@mvm.gov.lv
Balsam as an old healing remedy
A tour of the medieval alchemist’s laboratory and the opportunity to learn the secret of the elixir of youth.
The program offers an exciting story about the origin of Riga Black Balsam, the history of its preparation and its healing properties. Participants will not only be able to see the herbs in the exhibition and in the museum garden while learning about their usage in folk medicine but also taste herbal tea and travel trough time to traditional Latvian Black bathhouse.
This programme is best suited for: adults
Lesson duration: 1h
Payment method: prepayment
Lesson fee: 30 EUR
Maximum number of participants per session: 25 people
Language of activity: Latvian, Russian, English
Applying: 67213008 or elvigs.kabucis@mvm.gov.lv
Board game IMUNO
The board game IMUNO is designed to introduce players to the functioning of the immune system and learn about healthy choices that can boost immunity. Internal and external factors, including personal choices that affect immunity, are explored. Players learn about important discoveries in the history of immunity research.
During the game players representing immunity (IMUNO) or pathogens (PATO) move around the playing field taking up the game territory with their squares. The winner is the one who has occupied as much territory as possible and has gathered points in a strategically more successful way, by choosing more valuable playing fields. There will be gains and losses as well as surprises during the game – just like in our daily lives.
Age: from 7 years old
Number of players: 2–6 Download game files (in Latvian) here! To make the game even better, leave your comment about the game here: Feedback form Share the progress of the game and your experience on social networks using the hashtag #spēleIMUNO Board game IMUNO is developed within the framework of European Social Fund project No. 9.2.4.1/16/I/001 “Integrated health promotion and disease prevention measures”. The game was developed by Pauls Stradiņš Medicine History Medical in cooperation with SIA “Kolektīvs”.
Game duration: 25–40 min
Game preparation: 15–25 min
Required: printer, scissors, glue and adhesive tape
IMUNO colored version
Game rules
IMUNO game
Envelope for storage