Dear Valued Educators, As we begin to return to in-person field trips we will gradually be reintroducing several of the programs you have missed, and some new programming opportunities as well. All education programming will be in accordance with the most up-to-date health and safety protocols.

Field Trips and Outreach

Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum School Programs 

Education programs at the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum cost $5.50 per student for a half day program, and $10 per student for a whole day. This cost includes 1 free adult (teacher, volunteer) admission for every 6 students, additional adults pay $5.50.

 

 Primary

Arctic Voices - Only Available May and June 2023!

Grade 2 to 6 - First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Education; Social Studies; Science and Technology

This program is an extension of the travelling exhibit Arctic Voices from Science North. Arctic Voices challenges preconceived ideas about the Arctic as students discover the people, wildlife, ecosystems, and relationships that define this geographic region. Students will learn about animal adaptations in extreme arctic conditions, the relationship between the land, water, and ice as well as hear the voices and stories from the Inuit community. Students will examine these themes in addition to an onsite experiment about the wide reaching causes and impacts of climate change on the Arctic.
2 hours, maximum 40 students, In-Person (limited time May and June 2023)

 

 Junior

Arctic Voices - Only Available May and June 2023!

Grade 2 to 6 - First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Education; Social Studies; Science and Technology

This program is an extension of the travelling exhibit Arctic Voices from Science North. Arctic Voices challenges preconceived ideas about the Arctic as students discover the people, wildlife, ecosystems, and relationships that define this geographic region. Students will learn about animal adaptations in extreme arctic conditions, the relationship between the land, water, and ice as well as hear the voices and stories from the Inuit community. Students will examine these themes in addition to an onsite experiment about the wide reaching causes and impacts of climate change on the Arctic.
2 hours, maximum 40 students, In-Person (limited time May and June 2023)

 Intermediate/Senior

Arctic Voices - Only Available May and June 2023!

Grade 2 to 6 - First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Education; Social Studies; Science and Technology

This program is an extension of the travelling exhibit Arctic Voices from Science North. Arctic Voices challenges preconceived ideas about the Arctic as students discover the people, wildlife, ecosystems, and relationships that define this geographic region. Students will learn about animal adaptations in extreme arctic conditions, the relationship between the land, water, and ice as well as hear the voices and stories from the Inuit community. Students will examine these themes in addition to an onsite experiment about the wide reaching causes and impacts of climate change on the Arctic.
2 hours, maximum 40 students, In-Person (limited time May and June 2023)

 Schneider Haus National Historic Site School Programs

Education programs at Schneider Haus cost $5.50 per student for a half day program, and $10 per student for a whole day. This cost includes 1 free adult (teacher, volunteer) admission for every 6 students, additional adults pay $5.50.

All Grades
 No current offering.
 Kindergarten
 Not currently offered.
 Primary

Plants and the Environment

Grades 1 to 4 - Science and Technology

Roll up your sleeves, it’s time to get to work outside as we dig into the natural world relationships that our planet relies on! Explore plant parts and needs, pump water and work in the garden; make medicine from plants; use mini-microscopes to examine healthy soils; tend to the vermiculture box, and more!

Understanding Life Systems, Understanding Matter and Energy, Understanding Earth and Space Systems

2 hours, maximum 40 students

Offered in the Spring and Fall

Apples and Traditions (Offered only in the Fall)

Grade 2 – Social Studies

Students will explore the variety of traditions within their families and their local communities, participating in a traditional ‘working bee’ that is all about apples! Students will work together to make apple cider and dried apple pieces called schnitz, visit the historic house and conclude with a traditional game.

Heritage and Identity – Changing Family and Community Traditions

2 hours, maximum 35 students

Canadian Animals and Wildlife

Grades 2 and 4 - Science and Technology

This program introduces students to the wildlife and animals found in our backyard! WIth hands-on activities, students examine the differences between local mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, as well as the relationships between humans and animals in both past and present day contexts.

Understanding Life Systems – Growth and Changes in Animals, Habitats and Communities

2 hours, maximum 40 students

 Junior

Plants and the Environment

Grades 1 to 4 - Science and Technology

Roll up your sleeves, it’s time to get to work outside as we dig into the natural world relationships that our planet relies on! Explore plant parts and needs, pump water and work in the garden; make medicine from plants; use mini-microscopes to examine healthy soils; tend to the vermiculture box, and more!

Understanding Life Systems, Understanding Matter and Energy, Understanding Earth and Space Systems

2 hours, maximum 40 students

Offered in the Spring and Fall

Canadian Animals and Wildlife

Grades 2 and 4 - Science and Technology

This program introduces students to the wildlife and animals found in our backyard! WIth hands-on activities, students examine the differences between local mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, as well as the relationships between humans and animals in both past and present day contexts.

Understanding Life Systems – Growth and Changes in Animals, Habitats and Communities

2 hours, maximum 40 students

Bread Science

Grade 5 and 7 - Science & Technology and Social Studies

This program provides students with a hands-on opportunity to experience the science of bread making, an important activity for communities from all around the world, both historically and today. Physical and chemical changes, changes of state, experimenting with mixtures, and the effects of heat on matter are demonstrated as students produce a variety of breads for sampling, comparing historic and modern cooking technology.

Understanding Matter and Energy – Properties and Changes in Matter; Pure Substances and Mixtures

2 hours, maximum 45 students

 Intermediate/Senior

Bread Science

Grade 5 and 7 - Science & Technology and Social Studies

This program provides students with a hands-on opportunity to experience the science of bread making, an important activity for communities from all around the world, both historically and today. Physical and chemical changes, changes of state, experimenting with mixtures, and the effects of heat on matter are demonstrated as students produce a variety of breads for sampling, comparing historic and modern cooking technology.

Understanding Matter and Energy – Properties and Changes in Matter; Pure Substances and Mixtures

2 hours, maximum 45 students

 

McDougall Cottage School Programs 

In-Person Outreach Programs - we bring the museum to you! 

McDougall Cottage is offering in-person, outreach programs that we will bring right to your classroom! In-person visits are one hour in length, and $100.00 per visit. Each program is also available as a virtual visit. Virtual Education Programs

 Primary

Traditions and Celebrations 

Grade 2

This program combines Social Studies, The Arts, and Mathematics as we explore our changing family and community traditions using the Scottish heritage of the former residents of McDougall Cottage as a focused exploration. Students will explore Scottish celebrations by looking at traditional music, foodways, dance, clothing, and conclude with an Art and Mathematics design challenge!

Heritage and Identity - Changing Family and Community Traditions; The Arts;  Mathematics - Algebra: Patterns and Relationships 

1 hour in-person (would be suitable for schools within walking distance, but only one class could be accommodated) outreach OR virtual program

Emigrant’s ‘Kist’ 

Grade 3

With only a small 'kist' to carry their most important practical and sentimental belongings to a new home in Upper Canada, how and why did an immigrant family select those precious items? In what ways might this have changed for families moving to a new country today? In this inquiry based program, students will unpack and explore artifacts essential to Scottish emigrants in the nineteenth century, drawing comparisons between their own lives and the communities that formed new beginnings in Waterloo Region between 1780 and 1850.

Heritage and Identity - Communities in Canada, 1780 - 1850

1 hour in-person outreach OR virtual program

 Junior

Murals and Illusions 

Grades 4 - 6

We will take your class on an exploration of the recently revealed 100 year old trompe l'oeil murals and  friezes at McDougall Cottage. Students will compare and contrast historic mural art with modern examples of optical illusion mural, street and body art, and then try their hand at creating their own ‘trick of the eye’ art piece.

The Arts

1 hour in-person (would be suitable for schools within walking distance, but only one class could be accommodated) outreach OR virtual program

Bouncing Back!: Building Personal Resilience 

Grades 4 - 6

This program is an extension of McDougall Cottage’s new temporary exhibit, Resiliency: Shared Stories of Strength and Survival. Students will see real life examples of resilience, both from the 165 year- old Cottage itself, as well as from those shared by members of our local community. This program introduces students to a few of the strategies and techniques (including mindfulness, breathing, movement and art exercises) that can help them to build and strengthen the trait of resilience in their own lives in order to be able to bounce back better from life’s challenges.  

Health and Physical Education - Social Emotional Learning Skills

1 hour in-person (would be suitable for schools within walking distance, but only one class could be accommodated) outreach OR virtual program

 Intermediate/Senior

Resiliency: Shared Stories of Strength and Survival 

Grade 7 - 9

This program is an extension of McDougall Cottage’s new temporary exhibit, Resiliency: Shared Stories of Strength and Survival. Students will see real life examples of resilience, both from the 165 year-old Cottage itself, as well as from those shared by members of our local community. Through an exploration of these examples, students will identify and discuss protective factors and strategies that can help to build and strengthen their personal resilience, versus risk factors that limit and hinder it. 

Health and Physical Education - Social Emotional Learning Skills

1 hour in-person outreach OR virtual program.

Book Your Education Program Today