Description

Have you ever wondered why the leaves change colour or what happens during winter? These questions and others are explored in the fun and interactive Reasons for Seasons module. In The Living Tree students help Woody the Tree come alive as they learn that trees are living organisms. Through rhyme, role-play and hands-on activities students discover the things that trees need to grow big and strong. (1h 15min)

Description

What does a tree need to grow? How does an oak leaf differ from a beech leaf? Where does paper come from? The answers to these questions will be investigated in The Living Tree where students learn the characteristics and needs of trees, and in Papermaking where students are involved in each step of the papermaking process. Discussions include the importance of re-using and recycling. (1h 15min)

Description

Students will investigate objects in the Matter and Materials module using their five senses and make connections between the objects' material properties. Tools and Structures will have students identifying and discussing the properties of three types of structures: frames, solids & shells. Students will create their own structure in both modules using a variety of materials, tools and fasteners. (1h 15min)

Description

What was life like 150 years ago for your ancestors? In Spinning and Weaving students learn the responsibilities of the pioneer home including the children's role in preparing wool for spinning. Life was not all about chores though. The Traditional Toys module lets students discover what pioneer children did when they had free time through hands-on activities including making their own traditional toy. (1h 15min)

Description

How do the seasons and temperature changes affect living things? In what ways do plants and animals depend on each other? In Reasons for Seasons students examine the factors that affect the changing seasons, such as the position of the earth. Learn about why plants and animals in an ecosystem depend on each other to survive in a fun food web game and discussion on why it is important for the food chain to stay in balance. Feather Tales explores birds and other animals in the natural setting around the museum. Discussion focuses on connections between animals and their environments. (1h 15min)

Description

How do you identify a coniferous tree from a deciduous? How do humans interact with the environment? In The Tree Connection students will explore these questions and others in the natural environment around the museum. They will discover the many applications of trees and the factors that affect plant life through learning about local tree species, papermaking, recycling and making shakes for log houses. (1h 15min)

Description

In the Pioneer Lifestyles 1, students will learn where the pioneers came from, why they settled in North America and about their daily routines. Students will experience what it would have been like to live 150 years ago and be part of a pioneer family through making candles, shakes for roofing, and discovering what pioneer children used for toys. These hands-on activities allow students to compare the daily lives of pioneers to their own. Students will take home a hand made candle and traditional toy. (1h 15min)

Description

In the Pioneer Lifestyles 2, students discuss important questions like where did the pioneers come from and why did they settle in North America? Students will learn about 19th century life as they discover the uses of various tools and trades and learn how each trade was integral to the community. Each module has a hands-on component where students will try the tools of the shake-maker, cabinetmaker, and spinner. (1h 15min)

Description

How do you turn a tree into a chair? What tools do woodworkers use? Wood Works teaches students how different hand tools perform specific jobs in making parts of a log house and furniture. Students will also get to experience carpentry firsthand by completing a woodworking project. (1h 15min)

Description

Have you ever wondered why pioneers made log house? When did brick become the desired material for houses? This module explores the concept and development of architecture. Students will create an architectural project such as a paper Tower of Power or wooden bridges. These projects allow students to be involved with all steps of the creative process from designing blueprints to the final construction. (1h 15min)

Description

How do you make a kitchen table or roof for a log house? What materials do you need? How do you determine if a structure is strong and stable? Learn about how the roof of a log house is designed to protect it's inhabitants and endure the weather and harsh winter while going through the processes of making a shake. Students will also explore and use the tools of the cabinetmaker while learning how these different tools are used collectively to make an entire structure. Students experiment with structures when making their own wooden project. (1h 15min)

Description

Students will explore the transfer of energy within the food web and why plants and animals in an ecosystem depend on each other to survive in the hands-on interactive Eco Detective modules. They will discuss the impact technology has on natural resources, the sources of pollutants in the environment and our efforts in reducing, re-using and recycling. Students will also investigate environments and their influences upon the development and design of architecture. Students will be given materials to create a house for different types of environmental conditions. (1h 15min)

Description

In Pioneer Quest, students will learn where the pioneers came from, why they settled in North America and about their daily routines. Students will experience what it would have been like to live 150 years ago, and how early settlers adapted to the challenges of their new land. Constructing a log house using pioneer building techniques, trying their hands at making a shake for roofing and experiencing life before electricity, the students learn about yesteryear first hand. (1h 15min)