We offer curriculum-based programs for grades 2-8 science and technology, and social studies subject areas that include a small lesson, demonstration, and engaging activity. Each program is designed to be 60-90 minutes long and is free of charge; plus, we bring all the materials right to your classroom! Your students can learn about local history, buoyancy, pollution, ecosystems, invasive species, water quality, and more.
Check out our program descriptions for more details, then Connect Your Class Now!
Science and Technology
These programs are designed to meet expectations in the grades 2, 4-8 Science and Technology curricula.
Social Studies
These programs are designed to meet expectations in the grades 3-6 Social Studies curricula, and the grades 7-8 Geography and History curricula.
Science & Technology
What’s Invading Our Food Chain?
Grades: 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7
Duration: 60 or 90 minutes
In this program students learn about the unique aquatic ecosystems of the Great Lakes and how factors like invasive species and commercial fisheries have impacted these systems. Students will get to create their own marine food web as well as investigate invasive species specimens safely.
Key Words: habitat, population, community, adaptation, food chain, producers, consumers, amount of light, availability of food, species, ecosystem, interrelationships, vertebrate, invertebrate, stability, invasive species
Whatever Floats Your Boat
Grades: 5 and 7
Duration: 60 minutes
Students will explore the concepts of buoyancy and the forces that act on watercraft. Students also learn about the technological design of ships and how their structures are built to withstand external forces. Students will put their new knowledge to the test with the chance to build their own craft boats! Research and problem-solving skills will be encouraged and practiced.
Key Words: materials, structure, purpose, buoyancy, liquid, solid, push, pull, load, structure, strength, stability
Guardians of the Great Lakes
Grades: 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8
Duration: 60 or 90 minutes
Students’ scientific exploration skills will be enhanced through this program where we investigate water quality. The Museum staff will facilitate discussions around the origins of our drinking water and the impacts of pollution in the Great Lakes. Students will practice the scientific method to design and build their own water filtration systems.
Key Words: pollution, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, sewage, water treatment, natural habitats, medicine, food chain, producer, consumer, products, physical/chemical change, biodiversity, organism
Lighting the Way!
Grades: 4 to 8
Duration: 60 or 90 minutes
This program allows students to discover the history and optical technology behind lighthouses. Students participate in hands-on experiments to learn about how light behaves, how to manipulate it, and how optics can be used in real life scenarios!
Key Words: light, natural light, artificial light, beam of light, straight path, absorb, reflect, refract, heat, navigation.
Habitat Loss and Fragmentation
Grades: 4 to 8
Duration: 60 minutes
This program explores the intersections of habitat loss and fragmentation with cultural loss. Through active participation students will realize the impact of colonization on Indigenous peoples and ecosystems.
Key Words: habitat, ecosystems, responsibility, reciprocity, habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, producers, consumers, abiotic, biotic, animacy, worldviews, residential schools, reserve system, culture
Getting to the Root of Erosion
Grades: 3, 7 to 9
Duration: 60 minutes
This programs introduces students to the concept of erosion and its impact on aquatic ecosystems. Through observations and demonstrations students will learn that plants have two kinds of root systems and that plants help reduce erosion.
Key Words: roots, Fibrous root system, tap root system, erosion, sediment, soil, topsoil, water quality, visibility, soil quality, runoff.
Oil Spills and Water Pollution
Grades: 2, 4 to 9
Duration: 60 or 90 minutes
This program allows students to consider the effects of oil spills and pollution in a body of water close to home. Through hands-on activities, students engage directly with the content and work through problem solving when presented with their own (contained) oil spill.
Key Words: Pollution, oil, petroleum, fossil fuels, non-renewable energy, renewable energy, pipeline, spill, ecosystem, diversity, habitat, species, oxygen, pollution, Great Lakes, climate change
Wetlands - the heart and lungs of the Great Lakes
Grades: 2-4 and 6-9
Duration: 60 minutes
This program invites student to explore the heart and lungs fo the Great Lakes, their importance and the impact of human activity. Through active participation students will come away with a better understanding of the importance of wetlands and how they can take action within their community.
Key Words: Wetlands, ecosystem, diversity, habitat, soil, hydric soil, species, oxygen, anaerobic, carbon, sediments, pollution, Great Lakes basin, climate change
Social Studies
It’s Glacial Out There!
Grades: 3 to 7
Duration: 60 minutes
This program is about the past and present impacts of glaciation on the landscape as well as how glaciers are formed, how they move, and different types of glaciers. In this activity, students will gain a new understanding of glacial advance and retreat through the making of their own glacial slime!
Key Words: glacier, glaciation, ice sheet, ablation zone, accumulation zone, calving, moraine, alpine glaciers, continental glaciers, ancient lake
Ready, Aye, Ready!
Grades: 7
Duration: 60 or 90 minutes
Students will gain an appreciation for Kingston’s contribution and role in the War of 1812. As a defining moment in our history, students will develop understanding of the impact of the war on the Great Lakes, specifically the Battle of Lake Erie. Through a live action version of Battleships, and a Choose Your Own Adventure activity as crew members on a ship, students will get a glimpse into what it was like for the American, British and Indigenous soldiers and civilians during this time.
Key Words: battle, navy, casualties, coordinates, maps, HMS St. Lawrence, HMS Prince Regent, vessel, control, military strategy
There and Back Again
Grades: 7 and 8
Duration: 60 or 90 minutes
Students will learn about the mechanisms and economic importance of travel between and through the Great Lakes. Students will learn the components of a pound lock, how it works, its goal, and the forces that act within the system through demonstration and experimentation. Using materials provided by the Museum, students will have a chance to build their canal and lock system. The environmental impacts of the canals and locks will be discussed and explored.
Key Words: lock system, canal, Welland Canal, Rideau Canal
All Aboard the Great Lakes Cruise!
Grades: 2, 4, 6 and 8
Duration: 60 minutes
This program explores travel in the Great Lakes in terms of lock systems and canals, however, the focus is on the SS Cayuga, a passenger steamship that ran from Toronto to Niagara in the 20th century. Students will investigate and analyze the design of steamships. This program offers a glimpse into life in this region during this time. To consolidate their learning, students will plan their own trip aboard the SS Cayuga including designing their route and budgeting for their expenses.
Key Words: steamship, locks, canal, budget, expense, travel