Field Trips and Outreach
Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum & Doon Heritage Village School Programs
Doon Heritage Village is partially open for pre-booked field trips only. Select village buildings are available for pre-booked field trips. Doon Heritage Village will reopen on July 1, 2026.
Education programs at the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum and Doon Heritage Village cost $10.00 per student for a half day program (2 hours), and $13.00 per student for a full-day program (3.5 hours). No tax is charged for students. Teachers and supervising adults are free at a ratio of 1:6. Additional adults pay $10.00 or $13.00 plus HST, depending on the booking. Educational Assistants and/or one-on-one support workers are always free of charge.
The earliest time we can start a program is 9:30 a.m. Start times are flexible, with most half-day programs booked from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. We ask for groups to arrive 10-15 minutes prior to the start time of the education program.
*NEW* Our full-day programs involve choosing a half-day program for the morning session, a half-hour lunch break for your class, and then a self-guided tour of the museum. See our exhibit on the history of Waterloo Region! Until May 8, 2026, visit Disheveling: An ExtraordinHAIRY Exhibition and Inspiring Nature, Inspired Techno: Biomimicry & Transport! These two exhibits introduce your students to fascinating aspects of the natural world.
Full Day Program Sample Schedule
- Half-day program of your choice: 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
- Lunch break: 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
- Self-guided exhibit exploration: 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Hair: A Characteristic of Animals and Plants - Available October 6, 2025 - May 8, 2026 only
Grades 1 to 3 - Science and Technology
Hair, hair, everywhere! Bring your class to visit Disheveling: An ExtraordinHAIRY Exhibition and explore the tiny but mighty world of hair. Staff will lead interactive sessions on the different reasons why animals and plants have hair, give students the chance to touch real mammal hair samples, and get your class up close to some hairy plants in our greenhouse. BONUS: your class will get to visit Inspiring Nature, an exhibit about biomimicry and transportation systems! This program takes place entirely in the modern museum building.
Grade 1 - Needs and Characteristics of Living Things, Grade 2 - Growth and Changes in Animals, Grade 3 - Growth and Changes in Plants
2 hours, maximum 80 students
Communities in Canada (Grade 3)
Grade 3 - Social Studies
Take an integrated and interactive look at three communities in southwestern Ontario from 1780-1850. Students learn how Indigenous peoples, Mennonite immigrants, and Black settlers lived and interacted, with a focus on Wampum, daily life, and going to school. Groups visit Martin House, the Blacksmith Shop, the Freeport Church, and an exhibit on the history of Waterloo Region.
Communities in Canada, 1780 - 1850
2 hours, maximum 80 students
Biomimicry: Inspired by Nature - Available October 6, 2025 - May 8, 2026 only
Grade 6 to 8 - Science and Technology
How are the designs of airplanes, buildings, and systems inspired by nature? Bring your class to visit Inspiring Nature, Inspired Techno: Biomimicry & Transport and discover biomimicry. Through interactive sessions, staff will show your class the connections between slime mold and airplanes; penguins and buildings; porcupines and medical needles. BONUS: your class will get to visit Disheveling: An ExtraordinHAIRY Exhibition, an exhibit about the science of hair! This program takes place entirely in the modern museum building.
Grade 6 - Biodiversity & Flight, Grade 7 - Interactions in the Environment & Form, Function, and Design of Structures, Grade 8 - Systems in Action
2 hours, maximum 80 students
Communities in Canada (Grade 6)
Grade 6 - Social Studies
Students explore significant events in the lives of settler communities on the land now called Waterloo Region. Learn about schooling options for Black settlers in the 1850s, the Chinese Exclusion Act, the immigration of Europeans after the Second World War, and Hmong refugee experiences in the 1970s by examining the lives of people who lived through these events. Groups visit Martin House, the Dry Goods & Grocery Store, the Freeport Church, and an exhibit on the history of Waterloo Region.
Communities in Canada, Past and Present
2 hours, maximum 80 students
Traditions Alive
Grades 1 to 3, 6 - Social Studies
Explore 1914! Students learn about making bread on a historic woodstove, with pre-baked samples available to try. Next, try blacksmithing using a real forge, playing historic games, and sending messages using a telegraph machine. Groups visit Martin House, the Blacksmith Shop, the Dry Goods & Grocery Store, and the Train Station.
Grade 1 - Our Changing Roles and Responsibilities, Grade 2 - Changing Family and Community Traditions, Grade 3 - Communities in Canada, 1780-1850, Grade 6 - Communities in Canada, Past and Present
2 hours, maximum 80 students
Science Sampler
Grades 1 to 8 - Science and Technology
This program provides students with the opportunity to sample different branches of science: ecology, robotics, engineering, and earth sciences. Students use scientific experimentation and engineering design processes to conduct investigations. Test the pH levels of common liquids, code easy-to-use robots, see how gasses move using a Schlieren table, and uncover real fossil fish! This program takes place in the modern museum building, with one outdoor activity.
Life Systems, Structures and Mechanisms, Earth and Space Systems
2 hours, maximum 80 students
Family and Community Traditions - This program will return in December 2026 and January 2027.
Grade 2 - Social Studies
Back by popular demand! Explore Diwali, Eid al-Fitr, Hanukkah, and Lunar New Year, learning about these celebrations and what makes them special to different communities across Waterloo Region. This program takes place entirely in the modern museum building.
Changing Family and Community Traditions
2 hours, maximum 80 students
Christmas at Doon - This program will return in November and December 2026.
Grade 2 - Social Studies
It’s Christmas in 1914! Explore how Mennonites observed Christmas, see what gift options were available in the Dry Goods & Grocery Store, learn about winter travel options in the Blacksmith Shop, and visit the Train Station. This program takes place entirely in Doon Heritage Village.
Changing Family and Community Traditions
2 hours, maximum 80 students
Schneider Haus National Historic Site School Programs
Education programs at Schneider Haus cost $9 per student for a half-day program, and $13 per student for a whole day. This cost includes 1 free adult (teacher, volunteer) admission for every 6 students; additional adults pay $9/$13.
Do you want us to come to you? Aspects of all of these programs are available in your classroom! Please indicate "outreach" on the online form, and a member of our team will contact you!
Feathered Friends
Kindergarten, Grade 1 - Science and Technology
Explore the lives of feathered friends we can find in our own backyard! In this trip students examine the stages of development inside an egg, play a “who laid this egg” identification game, participate in some egg-speriments, and use drama and dance to connect with birds!
Exploring and Understanding Life Systems - Basic Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
1.5 hour in length, Maximum 60 students
Plants and the Environment
Grades 1 to 4 - Science and Technology
It’s time to dig into the natural world and examine the relationships that our planet relies on! While students are here they will explore plant medicines; identify plants; use mini-microscopes to examine healthy soils; tend to the vermiculture box, discuss climate change and more!
Understanding Life Systems, Understanding Matter and Energy, Understanding Earth and Space Systems
2 hours, maximum 60 students
Canadian Animals and Wildlife
Grades 2 and 4 - Science and Technology
Learn about the eh-mazing animals that call Canada home! With a variety of hands-on activities, students will examine mammal skulls and learn about predators versus prey, experience simulated tracking through an outdoor scavenger hunt, identify the differences between reptiles and amphibians, and dissect owl pellets!
Understanding Life Systems – Growth and Changes in Animals, Habitats and Communities
2 hours, maximum 60 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! Students produce a variety of breads for sampling, comparing historic and modern cooking technology. They will explore different leveraging agents and concepts like physical and chemical changes. While bread is baking students have the opportunity to tour through our 209 year old historic house and associated outbuildings; discussing the history of Waterloo Region.
Understanding Matter and Energy – Properties and Changes in Matter; Pure Substances and Mixtures
2 hours, maximum 45 students
Haus Traditions
Grade 1-3 and 6 - Social Studies
Embrace the changes of the season with Haus traditions at Schneider Haus!
Fall traditions focus on apple processing, traditional medicines, and outdoor games. Winter traditions focus on Mennonite, German, and other local Christmas traditions, indoor games, and winter clothing. Spring traditions highlight planting, wool working and outdoor games. Each trip includes an opportunity to tour our 209 year old historic house and learn about the history of Waterloo Region.
Grade 1 - Social Studies - Our Changing Roles and Responsibilities; Grade 2 - Social Studies -Changing Family and Community Traditions; Grade 3 - Social Studies -Communities in Canada, 1780-1850 Grade 6 - Social Studies: Communities in Canada, Past and Present
2 hours, maximum 60 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
Traditions and Celebrations
Grade 2 - Social Studies
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, and clothing, and conclude with an Art and Mathematics design challenge!
Heritage and Identity - Changing Family and Community Traditions; Mathematics - Algebra: Patterns and Relationships
1 hour in-person outreach OR virtual program
Emigrant’s ‘Kist’
Grade 3 - Social Studies
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
Murals and Illusions
Grades 4 - 6 - The Arts
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 - Exploring Forms and Cultural Contexts
1 hour in-person outreach OR virtual program
Etiquette
Grade 3 to 6 - Language, Mathematics & the Arts
Help teach your students how to be thoughtful about their conduct both in the classroom and online in this engaging etiquette course. This program includes a brief history of etiquette, its importance, and showcases how we uplift ourselves and our community when we lead with kindness and consideration. Students will experience hands-on etiquette for high tea (a staple at McDougall Cottage) as well as how to translate etiquette online.
Digital Media Literacy; Spatial Awareness; Audience Etiquette
1 hour in-person outreach OR virtual program
Letter Writing
Grade 3 to 6 - Language
Unlike digital communications, written letters provide a physical history of our relationships and communications with each other and give writers space to slow down and collect their thoughts. In our letter writing program, students will learn about the history of letter writing, the importance of physical letters, experience cursive reading and writing exercises, and get hands-on experience writing letters. Our final activity will allow students to write a letter to their future self or a friend to practice their letter-writing skills.
Composition: Expressing Ideas and Creating Texts (Cursive)
1 hour in-person outreach OR virtual program
Currents of Change
Grade 4,5,7, and 8 - Social Studies and Geography
Through an engaging blend of history, geography, ecology, and art, students will examine the profound and dynamic connection between the Grand River, Cambridge’s heritage, and our collective future. This two-part field trip features content from McDougall Cottage’s newest exhibit - “Currents of Change – Inspiring Action Along the Grand River” - and includes a visit to the nearby Idea Exchange River Room.
At McDougall Cottage, students will explore the history of the Grand, examine maps, and consider the impact of industry on the environment and ecology. They will explore the exhibit through a scavenger hunt and reflect on how they can contribute to protecting the Grand River for future generations. Additionally, in partnership with the Cambridge Art Galleries and the Cambridge Public Library, students will participate in an art exercise and a reading activity, fostering their connection to the Grand River.
People and Environments: Political and Physical Regions of Canada; Heritage and Identity and People and Environments; Interrelationships between People and the Physical Environment and Natural Resources and Sustainability; Global Settlement: Patterns and Sustainability
1 hour in-person outreach OR virtual program