Educational Programs 2025–2026 – Tomato Industrial Museum “D. Nomikos”

The Enriched Educational Program for the School Year 2025–2026

The Industrial Tomato Museum “D. Nomikos” reopens its doors to students of all ages, inaugurating the new school year with a series of educational programs specially designed for school groups.

Guided by the history of the tomato and its contribution to the industrial and social development of Santorini, the programs combine knowledge with play and discovery. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the tomato paste production process, explore the facilities of the historic factory, and take part in creative activities that cultivate imagination, knowledge, creativity, and collaboration.

As part of the “Year of Highlighting and Supporting Authenticity”, children will also visit the Museum’s two temporary exhibitions, “Traces of Theraic Folklore” and “Theraic Rituals”, enriching their educational experience with vivid images of Santorini’s folklore and cultural heritage through traditional artifacts and works of art.

The programs are addressed to:
• Kindergarten and primary school students, with activities tailored to their age.
• Middle and high school students, with emphasis on the historical, economic, and social dimension of the subject.

Through experiential learning and active participation, children gain insight into the unique agricultural and industrial heritage of Santorini, while at the same time developing skills in cooperation, observation, creative thinking, and imagination.

Learning through Experience – Creating Together!

Activities

“The Tomato Factory”
We discover the Museum’s collection: machines, tools, carts, stories, and books “come to life,” taking us from the pre-industrial to the modern period, with the tomato as our “travel companion.”
The experience is enriched with digital material and concludes with a tasting of tomato paste.

“Design My Own Label – Seal My Own Can”
Inspired by the factory’s historic labels, students explore the role of logos and brand identity, design their own label, apply it to a tin, and seal it using an authentic factory machine still in operation.

“Oral Testimonies Screening”
A short film featuring testimonies of farmers and workers sheds light on everyday life at the factory and on significant local events (e.g. the great flood of 1953).

“Cooking Tomato Paste”
Children become part of the production process, following the journey of the tomato step by step — from seed and skin to the final product — and complete the activity with a paste tasting.

“Create My Own Basket”
An introduction to traditional basket weaving that develops fine motor skills, teamwork, and patience. Using simple materials, children create unique objects, linking tradition with the present.