Our fields trips are available at the museum, in your class, or virtually.
The follow core programs are in-person fields trips at the Museum. These are offered Monday to Friday (morning and afternoon) from September to June.
Each program is 90 minutes in length, allowing for 60 minutes of structured discussion and activities and 30 minutes of exploration time in the galleries.
My First Visit to the Museum
Grades: Preschool – 2
Available As: Museum Only
Curriculum Connections: Social Studies; Science & Technology; The Arts
Introduce your students to the Thunder Bay Museum and discover the meaning of words like “museum”, “gallery”, “exhibit”, and “artifact”. Find out why museums are an important part of our community ,practice museum etiquette, play a drama game, touch and feel items in our collection, and create a craft to take home.
Early Settler Children
Grades: 1-3
Available As: Museum, Classroom
Curriculum Connections: Social Studies; Science & Technology; The Arts
What were children like in pioneer times and what did they do? Students will watch a short film, take part in a discussion about past chores, leisure activities, and schooling, and discuss how those compare to today. They will also have the opportunity to examine related artifacts and make a pioneer toy to take home.
Silver Islet
Grades: 5-8
Available As: Museum, Classroom, Virtual
Curriculum Connections: Social Studies; Science & Technology; History; Canadian Studies
At one time the world’s largest and richest silver mine, Silver Islet, had quite a past! Through group discussions, a video presentation, a critical thinking activity, and an examination of related museum artifacts, students will uncover the legend of the mine, its rise and fall, what life was like during the mine’s heyday, and the feasibility of reopening Silver Islet in the future.
We Remember: Canada at War
Grades: 4-8
Available As: Museum, Classroom
Curriculum Connections: Social Studies; History; Language; The Arts
In this program, students will gain a brief overview of Canada’s contribution to the First and Second World Wars, discuss the importance of the act of remembrance and different ways Canadians honour the service and sacrifices of our veterans, and learn about Thunder Bay’s unique connection to the poppy. After the discussion, students will have the opportunity to examine artifacts from our military collection, and view our permanent military exhibit Stand On Guard
We Remember: Canada at War
Grades: 9-12
Available As: Museum, Classroom
Curriculum Connections: History; English; The Arts
During this program, students will listen to an interview given by a veteran and former P.O.W. from Port Arthur and evaluate oral histories as a source of information about the First and Second World Wars. They will also have an opportunity to handle and examine military artifacts from our collection, and view our permanent military exhibit Stand On Guard
Christmas Around the World
Available: Nov 15-Dec 17
Grades: Preschool – 4
Available As: Museum, Classroom, Virtual
Curriculum Connections: Social Studies, The Arts
Feliz Navidad! Kala Christouyenna! Hauska Jolua! Merry Christmas!
Embrace the season and discover winter and Christmas traditions from various countries all over the world in this fun hands-on program. Students will be shown traditions from around the world, partake in a discussion, examine artifacts from our collection, and make a Christmas craft to take home.
Ojibwe Stories (K-2)
Do you know Chipmunk got his stripes? Or why Porcupine has quills? In this program, students will listen to animal legends and explore the oral tradition of storytelling.
Then & Now (Gr 7-12)
Do you know what an Edison player is? Or what early fire extinguishers looked like? In this program, students will learn about artifacts that were used before the turn of the century and how they have changed since then.
Medical History (Gr 7-12)
Medical knowledge and technology has changed over the years. In this program, students will find out what medicines, tools, and types of clothing that were used years ago. This program ties in great with our Early Epidemics teacher resource file.
Businesses of Thunder Bay (Gr 7-12)
This topic is all about Thunder Bay! Thunder Bay started off as two cities, Port Arthur and Fort William and they amalgamated on January 1, 1970. Since Thunder Bay has wide and diverse history, this program will highlight some of the businesses and buildings that have been around or are still around.
