Our field trips are available at the museum, in your class, or virtually. Please note that not all programs can be done in your class or virtually; see descriptions for more details.
Field trips at the Museum are offered Monday to Friday (morning and afternoon) from September to June. These are 90 minutes in length, allowing for 45 minutes of structured discussion and activities and 45 minutes for exploration time in the galleries.
Programs done in your classroom or virtually run for 45-60 minutes and consist of either crafting or activities after the main programming.
Christmas Around the World
Grades: Preschool – Gr.5
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 worldwide 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.
Can You Dig It? Dinosaurs!
Grades: Preschool – Gr. 8
Curriculum Connections: Social Studies; Science & Technology; The Arts
Travel back in time to when dinosaurs ruled the Earth! In this classroom-only program, students will learn all about what makes a dinosaur, fossils, and those that are extinct. Students will have an opportunity to handle museum-related artifacts and create a dinosaur craft!
My Thunder Bay
Grades: Preschool – Gr. 5
Curriculum Connections: Social Studies; Science & Technology; The Arts
Introduce your students to Thunder Bay. Students will learn where it is on a map, how it got its name, and a brief history of our city. Students will also learn about different landmarks found around town, as well as symbols that make up Thunder Bay.
Early Settler Children
Grades: Preschool – Gr. 5
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.
Immigration to the Lakehead
Grades: 5-8
Curriculum Connections: Social Studies; History; Language
In this program, students will learn what an immigrant is, factors that cause immigration (push and pull), and periods of immigration to Thunder Bay. Students will also learn about the many cultural groups that make up Thunder Bay, see and handle artifacts, and examine mystery boxes.
Silver Islet
Grades: 5-8
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.
Museum Tour & Behind the Scenes
(for classes 25 and under)
Grades: 9-12
Available As: Museum Only
**Subject to staff availability**
In this program, students will receive an in-depth tour of our first and third floors, followed by a special look at what happens behind the scenes in our collection space and ask our Curators questions!
We Remember: Canada at War
Grades: 5-12
Curriculum Connections: History; English; The Arts
During this program, students will listen to an interview 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. Students will also have an opportunity to handle and examine military artifacts from our collection, and view our permanent military exhibit, Stand on Guard.
The Fur Trade
Grades: 5-8
Curriculum Connections: Social Studies; History; Language
In this program, students will learn about early Canada and the development of the local fur trade. Students will get to experience how the trade system worked at fur trading posts.
Then & Now
Grades: 9-12
Curriculum Connections: History
Do you know what an Edison player is? Or what early phones looked like? What about a cardboard camera? In this program, students will learn about artifacts used before the turn of the century and how they have changed since then.
Industrial Revolution: Technology Changes
Grades: 8-12
Curriculum Connections: History; Language; Science and Technology; The Arts
From Rural to urban, transportation to women in the workforce, this program is an introduction to the technological changes of the Industrial Revolution. Students can handle related artifacts and design their own city as they industrialize.
Medical History
Grades: 7-12
Curriculum Connections: History
Medical knowledge and technology have changed over the years. In this program, students will learn what medicines, tools, and types of clothing were used years ago. This program ties in well with our Early Epidemics teacher resource file.
Business of Thunder Bay
Grades: 7-12
Available As: Museum, Classroom, Virtually
Curriculum Connections: History
This topic is all about Thunder Bay! Thunder
Bay started as two cities: Port Arthur and
Fort William, and they amalgamated on
January 1, 1970. Since Thunder Bay is wide and
diverse history, this program will highlight
some of the businesses and buildings that
have been around or are still around.
