School Programs at the Children’s Museum

We offer a wide array of field trip programs at the Children's Museum, for your class, homeschool group, scouting troop or any other group visiting us during school hours.

Science in Action
The Children’s Museum is uniquely positioned along the first of three canals that connect with the Connecticut River. Teaching about the river, the canals and the many exciting properties of water is what we do best! Join us for these group education programs that will help infuse science into your classroom curriculum and bring a sense of fun and adventure to your field trip experience.

Stream Study (Grades 3-5)
The Children’s Museum is uniquely positioned along the first of three canals that connect with the Connecticut River. Using the canal (along with our indoor water exhibit) as our classroom we will explore moving water as math and science intersect in many fun ways. Volume, flow, and animal adaptations to moving water will be covered.

Build a Watershed (Grades 3-5)
Where does river water come from? Join us as we explore our home on the Connecticut River. Using the Pioneer Valley and Holyoke as our context, we will take a close look at the physical properties of watersheds. This program includes mapping, demonstrations on our stream table and student construction of a watershed.

Water Wheels (Grades 2-5)
How much water does it take...? Holyoke was the first “planned industrial city” in America and water power was the driving force. We will experiment with the energy of water and build a working model of a water wheel.

Water Cycle (Grades K-2)
Water appears and disappears, how does it do that? In our kitchen lab we will take a close, hands-on, look at each station of the water cycle. Join us as we explore evaporation condensation and all the other “-ations” that make up the water cycle.

Animal Adaptations (Grades PreK-2)
The river is home to hundreds of different kinds of plants and animals. How do they survive here and what neat characteristics have they developed to fit into their habitat? Using games, props and impersonations we will learn a few and come up with some of our own too!

Build a Boat (Grades PreK-5)
How do things float? Starting with paper clips and working our way up to boats we will explore flotation and water displacement as a concept. Then we will finish with a boat race here at the museum.

Papermaking (Grades PreK-5)
Where better to lean the art and science of papermaking than here in the "Paper City". Students will learn a ream about paper. We will do experiments and dive into recycled paper in our very own paper laboratory.

Geology Detectives (Grades 2-5)
Here in the Connecticut River Valley we have a rich geological history. Dinosaur footprints, earthquakes, volcanoes, disappearing lakes, we have it all. Come explore the rocks and minerals from our backyard and yours and tell a few of your own geologic stories.

Light, Color, Sand (Grades 1-5)
Come see and hear the physics behind everyday phenomena as we experiment with tuning forks, color wheels, optical illusions and many more interesting objects.

Fashion A.....fish, insect, flower
(Grades 2-5)
Every organism on earth has evolved to survive in its own unique way. Join us in an exploration of an organism or your own choosing that culminates in students being challenged to design their own.

To Book a Group Program
You must call in advance to reserve a date and time for your visit, once you have reserved you space, we will send you a pre trip packet that can help in preparing your students for their visit.

• $70 for up to ten children.
• The cost for each program is $7 per person (one adult for every 5 students may join you for free)
• Class size for each program is limited to 25 students
• All programs include a visit to the museum (consider bringing two classes on the bus and while one class takes part in the program the other class explores our museum).
• We have a lunch area including vending machines if you would like to include a snack or lunch break with your visit.
• Home Schooling groups, scouting troops, and other groups are welcome, call to get further information on how we can tailor a program to fit your needs.
• If you are interested in a full day of activities, we can help you arrange a visit to the South Hadley Falls fish lift and Heritage State Park as part of your trip. Plus, additional educational attractions through "Passport Holyoke" program.

Email Dayna Abrazinski or call 413-536-7048 x104.