School Programs
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First Nation | MÉTIS | INUIT
C.E.D.A.R.
Cultural Education Directed at Revitalization
Right now, across Turtle Island there are more than 617 First Nations, Métis and Inuit Communities; many with their own language, cultural practices and way of life. Join us as we journey through what it means to be “Indigenous” and why Cultural Education Directed at Revitalization seeks to impact our next seven generations.
Students will travel to six different hands-on workshops, all lead by members of First Nation, Métis and Inuit Communities.
Curriculum Connections: Grade 3 –Communities in Canada, 1780–1850, Grade 4 – Early Societies to 1500CE, Grade 5 – Interactions of Indigenous Peoples and Europeans prior to 1713, in What Would Eventually Become Canada, Grade 6 – Heritage and Identity: Communities in Canada, Past and Present
December 4-6, 2024. Must book by November 18, 2024
GOING MEDIEVAL
Travel back to the Middle Ages with Blackthorn Productions. Students become lords and ladies as they touch and try on medieval armour, learn an authentic medieval dance, explore medicine and the Black Death and ask their questions of costumed characters. Student will travel to workshops throughout the museum to experience the medieval world first hand.
Curriculum Connections: Grade 4 – Early Societies to 1500CE
May 14-16, 2025. Must book by April 28, 2025.
MUSEUM DETECTIVES
Explore the role museums play in our society and the “pieces of history” they display. Students are also invited to touch and hold history through the exploration of artefacts. They will uncover the “story” of these artefacts by working through a set of questions and uncovering the historical information they contain. Includes a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum including collections storage, home to over 32,000 artefacts.
The program is a great introduction for Heritage Fairs.
Grades 3-8 | 90 minutes | $6 per student
Curriculum Connections: Promotes Concepts of Social Studies/Historical Thinking - Continuity and Change, Interrelationships and Historical Perspective, gather information from primary sources, and interpret/analyze data
This program is also available as Museum Outreach!
1812: UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
In small groups, students examine primary source materials and role play the experiences of real people (soldiers, officers, First Nations, medical personnel, civilians), events of the War of 1812 period and the Battle of Lundy’s Lane. Using maps, illustrations, and source materials, they produce a dramatic presentation of the War through the perspective of the individuals who experienced the events. Includes a tour of the Gale Family War of 1812 Gallery.
Grade 7 | 120 minutes | $6 per student
Curriculum Connections: Grade 7 – Canada, 1800-1850: Conflict and Challenges
WORLD WAR I
Discover the Great War through primary source materials in the museum’s collection. Students will explore the museum galleries, analyze photographs and critically assess personal correspondence to immerse themselves in the wartime experience.
Grade 10 & 12 | 120 minutes | $6 per student
Curriculum Connections: Grade 10 – History since World War I, Grade 12 – Canada: History, Identity, and Culture, Grade 12 – The West and the World
This program is available as Museum Outreach!
THE BRIDGES OF NIAGARA
Niagara has been home to many bridges over the years. Discover the science and history behind these local structures and whether or not they withstood the test of time. Students are challenged to build a bridge that meets the growing needs of the community.
Grades 3, 5, 7 | 90 - 120 minutes | $6 per student
Curriculum Connections: Grade 3 – Strong and Stable Structures, Grade 5 – Forces Acting on Structures, Grade 7 – Form, Function, and Design of Structures