Educational Programs for the 2025–2026 School Year – Tomato Industrial Museum “D. Nomikos”

The Tomato Industrial Museum “D. Nomikos” opens its doors once again to students of all ages, launching 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 participate in creative activities that foster imagination, knowledge, creativity, and collaboration.

As part of the “Year of Promoting and Supporting Authenticity”, students will also be guided through 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 artifacts and works of art.

Programs are designed for:

Kindergarten and primary school students, with activities adapted to their age.
Middle and high school students, focusing on the historical, economic, and social aspects of the topic.

Through hands-on learning and active participation, students explore Santorini’s unique agricultural and industrial heritage while developing skills in collaboration, observation, creative thinking, and imagination.

We learn through experience and create together!

Activities

“The Tomato Factory”
Explore the Museum’s collection: machines, tools, carts, stories, and books come to life, taking us on a journey from the pre-industrial to the modern era—with the tomato as our “fellow traveler.”
The experience is enhanced by rich 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 corporate identity, design their own label, and apply it to a tin can, which is sealed using an authentic factory machine still in operation.

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

“Cooking Tomato Paste”
Students become part of the production process, following the tomato step by step—from seed and skin to final product—and conclude by tasting the paste.

“Weave My Own Basket”
An introduction to traditional basket weaving: developing fine motor skills, cooperation, and patience. Using simple materials, students create unique objects and connect tradition with the present.