A “dynamic” learning and engagement officer has been hired by the National Museum of Bermuda.

Rajai Denbrook will devise, develop and deliver learning activities and programmes that serve audiences such as students, teachers, families and lifelong learners.

Elena Strong, the executive director of the NMB, said: “National Museum of Bermuda is a collective voice for and about Bermuda.

“We aim to make learning Bermuda history a part of everyone’s educational journey on island and to provide new entry points to engage with our shared past and heritage.

“We have sought out a dynamic learning and engagement officer, Rajai Denbrook, to join our expert team of educators, including Lisa Howie and Kathy Kawaley, who are delivering and creating programmes to shift how history is shared and taught on island.

“This position is supported by ‘The Future of History Campaign’ and is an essential position to carry out our mandate.”

She said that Mr Denbrook will focus first on launching the museum’s Learning Labs, which are aimed at pupils aged from 11 to 14.

Ms Strong added: “The labs will be offered for free to all local schools, thanks to sponsorship by Jardine Matheson Bermuda, and take school fields trips to the next level.

“Students will be able to experiment with historical thinking and engage with historical artefacts and documents with hands-on, inquiry-based activities that develop critical thinking skills, encourage seeing multiple perspectives and build empathy.

“Each Learning Lab is based on a theme and will link to the learning objectives and core learning competencies found within both public and private school systems.”

Mr Denbrook said it was an exciting time to join the NMB team as the museum continued to develop as a resource for education, a community space and “a multifaceted hub for the open exploration of history, heritage and identity”.

He added: “I’m thrilled to be the newest member of such a high-class team and look forward to connecting with students, educators, museum visitors and the wider community.

“It is so important to know and understand our past and the forces that shaped Bermuda and the world we know today.

“Understanding the context in which we live allows us to better navigate the present, learn from the past and imagine better paths for the future.”

Mr Denbrook is a graduate of the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama with a bachelor’s in drama, applied theatre and education.

The NMB said that he has supported the development and facilitation of programming for a number of organisations and held temporary teaching positions in the island’s public school system.

It added: “For the past year, he has worked closely with the NMB team on their community project ‘The Objects That Make Us’ that aims to preserve Bermuda’s history by collecting personal stories focused around family objects.

“It is a modern approach to oral history, resulting in short digital videos that can be easily shared and can be a powerful means to discuss and understand ourselves, our relationships and our history.”