Crucible Lusaka & Livingstone Museum

How can we bring Zambia’s history to life through the Livingstone Museum’s hidden collections?

This is the driving question behind our first major interdisciplinary project between Crucible Lusaka and the Livingstone Museum.

Our students explored the museum’s galleries, back-of-house collections, and archives to uncover stories, objects, and ideas that are rarely seen by the public. Working in teams, they set out to design a proposal that would help the museum:

• engage more young people and families

• enhance understanding of Zambia’s history, culture, and scientific heritage

• showcase the richness and relevance of the museum’s holdings.

Each group followed a structured design and research cycle, including:

• Explore – investigate the collection, ask questions, and understand the audience’s needs

• Imagine – generate ideas, possibilities, and creative directions

• Plan – research, select the strongest ideas, and design a practical proposal

• Create & test – build prototypes, presentations, storyboards, or outreach concepts

• Reflect & improve – evaluate what worked, revise the proposal, and prepare the final version

The result is a set of student-led proposals, ranging from interactive displays and educational programmes to digital experiences and community-focused initiatives. These proposals blend historical insight with creative storytelling, technology, design thinking, and leadership skills.

This site showcases each group’s final submission.

We invite you to explore their ideas, reflect on their perspectives, and imagine the future of a museum that continues to inspire Zambia’s next generation of leaders.