You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.
~Clay P. Bedford
The London Children's Museum understands the value of learning through play and have created engaging, interactive exhibits and programs to attract inquisitive minds. By offering three different learning options, we work with you and your curriculum as a valuable extension to your lesson planning. In addition, we offer support materials for classes to continue working with after their museum experience.
Plan for an outstanding educational experience!
We want to make sure that our curriculum-connected field trips meet your needs and are educational, fun and memorable for your students. In planning your trip, please note the following guidelines:
- One adult chaperone is required for every five children and will be admitted free. The cost per child is $7.50 for one program, or $11 for two programs. Teachers and chaperones are responsible for their groups at all times. For the safety and enjoyment of your class and all of our visitors, children must be closely supervised at all times while visiting the Museum. Disruptive behaviour may result in a group being asked to leave without refund.
- We strive to provide you with the highest quality programs which do require the full 50 minutes. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your program.
- A minimum of ten children is required for field trips.
- Children's Museum memberships and coupons cannot be applied to education programs.
- Subsidies are available for schools identified as having financial challenges. Please inquire at time of booking.
- May and June are particularly busy months for field trips. If you are planning to visit in May or June, please book early and be prepared for crowds.
- Galleries may be temporarily closed throughout the year for on-site education programs; please feel free to call prior to your visit to determine any gallery closings.
- The Museum's Explore Store will be open for those who wish to purchase souvenirs or educational toys. Proceeds from all purchases support the ongoing operation of the Children's Museum.
- Snacks, ice cream and beverages are available for purchase from the Explore Store. Bag lunches may be brought to the Museum. Food and beverages are permitted in designated areas only.
- For more information about any of our programs, or to book, call 519-434-5726 or email us at [email protected] We will gladly provide more details about the curriculum connections of each field trip and guidelines to help your class get the most from each education program.If you'd like to come and see the Children's Museum for yourself before you bring your class, please let us know and we'll arrange for a free visit and tour.
If you have participated in one of our education programs before, please take a second to fill out this brief feedback survey and let us know how we did!
Our on-site education programs are generously supported by:
Curriculum-Based Field Trips
Step 2. Select an area below
- Early Childhood Education
- Early Years & Primary (JK-Grade 3)
- Education Programs Grade 4-6
Please click here to download our PDF Education Brochure! NEW for 2012-2013 Educator_Broch2012_v031.pdf
Explore, discover and learn during these engaging inquiry-based programs delivered and developed by our professional educators. All of our programs are designed around the Ontario Curriculum and include connections to social science, language, science and technology and the arts. Each program includes a teacher package filled with pre and post visit activities to help you and your class get the most out of your visit.
When: September through June, Tuesday to Friday, 9:30 am to 5 pm and also on Mondays during May.
Fee: The cost varies depending on the number of programs you register for and the length of the program.
$7.50/student for one 50 minute program
$11.00/student for two 50 minute programs
$10.00/student for one 90 minute program
NOTE: One adult chaperone is required for every five children and will be admitted free.
For booking inquiries contact [email protected] or call 519-434-5726
Step 3. Click the resource you are interested in.
|
Early Years Celebrate Days! |
|
Celebrate the Early Years every month on a day designated just for Early Years Groups & Day Care Centres! Participate in developmentally appropriate 50-minute programs designed to engage and stimulate the early learned!
Pre-registration is required, call today to reserve your space!
Group Member Rate: $5/child
Non Member Rate: $7.50/child
*Chaperones are admitted free!
STRANGE MATTER!
Tuesday October 23
Wednesday November 21
Discover the surprising science behind everyday materials! Visit our new exhibit "Strange Matter", on loan from the Ontario Science Centre, and become material detectives at our discovery stations! Children will explore solids and liquids by creating slime, discover the power of magnets, create "floam" to take home and investigate their surroundings with magnifying glasses!
(Presented by the Materials Research Society. This exhibition and its tour are made possible by the generous support of the National Science Foundation, Dow, Ford Motor Company Fund, Intel Innovation in Education, Rio Tinto Alcan and 3M.)
WINTER WONDERLAND!
Thursday December 20
Tuesday January 22
Wednesday February 27
How does a polar bear survive the cold Arctic winter? Can plants grow in the snow? Explore the Arctic like never before in our "My Arctic Discovery" gallery to learn how animals and plants live. Visit our hands-on discovery stations to make now, try on a blubber mitten and investigate arctic plant life!
FARMING 101!
Thursday April 25
Tuesday May 21
Put on your overalls and grab your watering can so we can learn all about life on a farm! Discover what plants need to grow and plant your very own vegetable to take home. Meet and greet our residence worms and learn how amazing these tiny creatures are! Participate in an educational vegetable game that allows children to classify and identify their foods.
REMEMBER!
Group Memberships only $50/centre per year!
This membership level is for groups such as day cares, nursery schools and preschools and allows your group to visit for the admission price of just $2.00/child, per visit. Adult chaperones are admitted FREE.
|
|
|
Pre-Schoolers (3-6 years) |
|
A preschooler is eager to make friends. Engaging in play with other children helps preschoolers to develop their social skills. Activities like “playing house”, taking turns slithering down the slide or helping uncover dinosaur bones encourages preschoolers to co-operate positively and respectfully with others. Preschoolers can further develop positive attitudes towards learning by taking in the new experiences, learning about different cultures/beliefs and linking these experiences to words they already know. As they continue to develop their personal identities they will use pretend play as an outlet to express their emotions. Dramatic play in the doctor’s office can help a child to communicate how they are feeling. As you admire a preschoolers’ effort for participating in an activity this helps the child to view themselves as worthy individuals. Mastery in physical development such as fine motor skills can be achieved by dressing up in costumes, using crayons or scissors and even using play tools in the Sifton Street Where You Live gallery. The Children’s Museum is a great place for preschoolers to meet new friends and expand on fun, hands-on learning.
|
|
|
Toddlers (1-2 years) |
|
A toddler is always searching for a new discovery! By engaging in pretend play, toddlers have the opportunity to express their feelings in a safe and secure environment. They can begin to understand the significance of cause and effect – “When I press the rocket launch button, the shuttle will blast off!”. They can exercise their gross motor skills by balancing, jumping, climbing and riding throughout the galleries. With adults providing choices, a toddler can select activities in which to participate, a skill that will later help them develop their decision making skills. The Children’s Museum helps a toddler to discover experiences unlike anywhere else.
|
|
|
Infants (0-12 months) |
|
An infant is constantly observing and investigating the world around them! By exploring with all of their senses they can begin to experience new textures, new sights and new sounds. Reaching for various objects, like the play vegetables in our garden, help develop the gross motor skills they will need for activities such as crawling. Pretend play with simple scenarios like buying play food from the grocery store supports observation and imitation as a way of learning. With their adult becoming a partner in play, the infant is able to express their emotions and develop their sense of self which is essential for building their confidence and feeling of security. The Children’s Museum is a great place to assist in the development of your infant.
|
|
Step 3. Click the resource you are interested in.
|
Limited Time: Farmz on Wheelz |
|
Available from March 28 - June 2, 2013
As the world’s population grows, more time, land and resources are needed to feed the 6 billion people who live on our planet. Discover what the life of a busy farmer is like and how farmers are developing alternate energy sources to develop sustainable farming techniques. Learn all about plant growth on the farm, the wonderful way worms make compost and the benefits of buying from local farms in our special temporary exhibit “Farmz on Wheelz”, on display from Farm & Food Care Ontario.
Key Curriculum Connections:
PRIMARY (GRADE 1) Life Systems: Characteristics and Needs of Living Things
PRIMARY (GRADE 1) Canada and World Connections: The Local Community
PRIMARY (GRADE 3) Life Systems: Growth and Changes in Plants
JUNIOR (GRADE 5) Life Systems: Human Organ Systems
JUNIOR (GRADE 5) Understanding Earth and Space Systems:Conservation of Energy and Resources
|
|
|
Limited Time!: Strange Matter |
|
Available from September 22, 2012 to January 6, 2013.
Discover the suprirising science behind everyday materials! Become a materials scientist and learn why certain materials behave in certain ways and how their physical and chemical properties affect how they are used in society. Students will investigate the properties and states of matter by playing with polymers and exploring ferrofluids. Students will discover how
these wacky materials are used in our lives today and where they may be used in the future. Offered in Conjunction with the special temporary exhibit “Strange Matter”, on display from the
Ontario Science Centre.
Key Curriculum Connections:
PRIMARY (GRADE 2) Understanding Matter and Energy:
Properties of Liquids and Solids
JUNIOR (GRADE 5) Understanding Matter and Energy: Properties of and Changes in Matter
Presented by the Materials Research Society. This exhibition and its tour are made possible
by the generous support of the National Science Foundation, Dow, Ford Motor Company Fund,
Intel® Innovation in Education, Rio Tinto Alcan and 3M.
|
|
|
Limited Time Only: Celebrations! |
|
Back by Popular Demand! Available until Friday December 21, 2012.
Discover the seasonal celebrations of different cultures this time of year,
and learn about the multiculturalism and diversity within our own
community! Students experience the traditions, stories and activities
that are part of Diwali, Hannukah, Christmas and Eid to help them
understand the similarities and differences between these celebrations.
Key Curriculum Connections:
EARLY YEARS (JK/SK) Personal & Social Development; Language
PRIMARY (GRADE 2) Heritage & Citizenship: Traditions and Celebrations
PRIMARY (GRADE 2) Canada and World Connections: Features of Communities Around the World
|
|
|
Early Years Celebrate Days! |
|
Celebrate the Early Years every month on a day designated just for Early Years Groups & Day Care Centres! Participate in developmentally appropriate 50-minute programs designed to engage and stimulate the early learned!
Pre-registration is required, call today to reserve your space!
Group Member Rate: $5/child
Non Member Rate: $7.50/child
*Chaperones are admitted free!
STRANGE MATTER!
Tuesday October 23
Wednesday November 21
Discover the surprising science behind everyday materials! Visit our new exhibit "Strange Matter", on loan from the Ontario Science Centre, and become material detectives at our discovery stations! Children will explore solids and liquids by creating slime, discover the power of magnets, create "floam" to take home and investigate their surroundings with magnifying glasses!
(Presented by the Materials Research Society. This exhibition and its tour are made possible by the generous support of the National Science Foundation, Dow, Ford Motor Company Fund, Intel Innovation in Education, Rio Tinto Alcan and 3M.)
WINTER WONDERLAND!
Thursday December 20
Tuesday January 22
Wednesday February 27
How does a polar bear survive the cold Arctic winter? Can plants grow in the snow? Explore the Arctic like never before in our "My Arctic Discovery" gallery to learn how animals and plants live. Visit our hands-on discovery stations to make now, try on a blubber mitten and investigate arctic plant life!
FARMING 101!
Thursday April 25
Tuesday May 21
Put on your overalls and grab your watering can so we can learn all about life on a farm! Discover what plants need to grow and plant your very own vegetable to take home. Meet and greet our residence worms and learn how amazing these tiny creatures are! Participate in an educational vegetable game that allows children to classify and identify their foods.
REMEMBER!
Group Memberships only $50/centre per year!
This membership level is for groups such as day cares, nursery schools and preschools and allows your group to visit for the admission price of just $2.00/child, per visit. Adult chaperones are admitted FREE.
|
|
|
Dinosaurs |
|
Opportunities for learning about the largest creatures to walk the earth abound in this interactive, engaging program. Students discover how we can learn about dinosaurs, even though they are long extinct. Using artifacts from our collection, participants will examine dinosaur bones, footprints, skin impressions, teeth, and even coprolite to understand the characteristics of these animals and how similar they are to those animals that exist today.
Available in English or French
Key Curriculum Connections:
Early Years (JK/SK): Language; Mathematics; Personal and Social Development; Health and Physical Activity
Primary (Grade 1):Language: Oral Communication
Primary (Grade 1-3): Mathematics: Measurement
|
|
|
Operation: Solar System |
|
Explore the wonders and science of the solar system! In this planetarium-based program participants explore our corner of the universe. Students examine the science behind the mysteries of space, including why the moon has phases, how the environments of planets are different from each other, and which constellations are visible at night and why.
Available in English or French
Key Curriculum Connections:
Early Years (JK/SK): Language; Science & Technology
Primary (Grades 1-3): Earth & Space Systems
|
|
|
Community and Me |
|
Through exploration and interactive experiences, students will discuss the characteristics of a community, diverse roles and responsibilities and how we all depend on each other. Community and Me is held in the Sifton Street Where You Live Gallery, providing participants with the opportunity to explore the rules and responsibilities of different members of their family and community within an engaging environment.
Available in English or French
Generously supported by London Life
Key Curriculum Connections:
Early Years (JK/SK): Language; Personal & Social Development
Primary (Grades 1-3): Heritage & Citizenship
Grade 3: Urban and Rural Communities
|
|
|
Arctic Alive! |
|
Discover the arts and culture of the Inuit! Through throat-singing, storytelling and sculpting discover how the surroundings of the Arctic inspire the people who live there. Students will immerse themsevles in these various forms of art and use their knowledge to create an Arctic-inspired sculpture. Experience the Inuit lifestyle like never before in our brand new My Arctic Discovery gallery!
Key Curriculum Connections:
Early Years (JK/SK): Language, Social Science, The Arts
Primary (Grades 1-3): Social Science and Visual Arts
|
|
|
Junior Builder |
|
Students explore the fundamentals of structure and construction. Charged with constructing different structures and simple machines that meet a specific need, participants learn teamwork, critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they discover the relevance of engineering concepts to real world applications. Available in English or French
Key Curriculum Connections:
Early Years (JK/SK): Language; Science & Technology
Primary (Grades 1-3): Structures & Mechanisms
|
|
|
Arctic Adaptations |
|
How would our lives be different if we lived in the far north? Discover the ways in which humans, plants and animals have adapted to make the harsh Arctic environment their home. Try on a blubber mitten, take a microscopic view of Arctic lichen, go on an arctic survival adventure and compare eating habits of owls from through dissection! Experience the habitat of the Arctic like never before in our brand new My Arctic Discovery Gallery!
Key Curriculum Connections:
Early Years (JK/SK):Personal and Social Development; Science and Technology; Language
Primary (Grade 1): Understanding Life Systems: Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
Primary (Grade 2): Understanding Life Systems: Growth and Changes in Animals
Primary (Grade 3): Understanding Life Systems: Growth and Changes in Plants
|
|
Step 3. Click the resource you are interested in.
|
Limited Time: Farmz on Wheelz |
|
Available from March 28 - June 2, 2013
As the world’s population grows, more time, land and resources are needed to feed the 6 billion people who live on our planet. Discover what the life of a busy farmer is like and how farmers are developing alternate energy sources to develop sustainable farming techniques. Learn all about plant growth on the farm, the wonderful way worms make compost and the benefits of buying from local farms in our special temporary exhibit “Farmz on Wheelz”, on display from Farm & Food Care Ontario.
Key Curriculum Connections:
PRIMARY (GRADE 1) Life Systems: Characteristics and Needs of Living Things
PRIMARY (GRADE 1) Canada and World Connections: The Local Community
PRIMARY (GRADE 3) Life Systems: Growth and Changes in Plants
JUNIOR (GRADE 5) Life Systems: Human Organ Systems
JUNIOR (GRADE 5) Understanding Earth and Space Systems:Conservation of Energy and Resources
|
|
|
Limited Time: Torn From Home |
|
Available from January 17 to March 31, 2013.
Through hands-on experiences and object based learning, students will empathize with and gain a deeper understanding of the daily challenges of the more than 30 million refugee and displaced persons worldwide. Students will develop a greater understanding of social responsibility as they experience life as a refugee. Students will experience what it is like to lose their home, ration food, and create their own toys from limited resources. Offered in Conjunction with the special temporary exhibit “Torn From Home: My Life as a Refugee”, on display from the Lied Discovery Children’s Museum.
Key Curriculum Connections:
JUNIOR (GRADE 5) Canada and World Connections: Aspects of Citizenship and Government in Canada
JUNIOR (GRADE 6) Canada and World Connections: Canada’s Links to the World
Torn From Home: My Life as a Refugee was created by Lied Discovery Children’s Museum, Las Vegas, and was sponsored by Pam and Pierre Omidyar.
|
|
|
Limited Time!: National Engineering Week March 26-29, 2013 |
|
This special week is geared towards Grades 5 and 6 students. Programs are only offered during this week and are booked on a first-come, first-serve basis. Programs are offered from 10:00-11:30 and from 12:30-2:00.
Forces in Motion
Investigate the key components of momentum, inertia and gravity that engineers must consider when designing their structures. Students will see and discuss the concepts of compression and tension as they use technological problem solving skills to design, create, test, and make adjustments to their very own rollercoaster.
Electrifying Electricity
Explore electricity! Students will participate in interactive activities during this exciting 90-minute program in order to learn about series and parallel circuits. Students will engage in a collaborative “human circuit” activity and create a circuit by building their very own art spinners with switches and motors.
Key Curriculum Connections:
JUNIOR (GRADE 5) Science and Technology: Forces Acting on Structures and Mechanisms
JUNIOR (GRADE 6) Science and Technology: Electricity and Electrical Devices
|
|
|
Limited Time!: Strange Matter |
|
Available from September 22, 2012 to January 6, 2013
Discover the suprirising science behind everyday materials! Become a materials scientist and learn why certain materials behave in certain ways and how their physical and chemical properties affect how they are used in society. Students will investigate the properties and states of matter by playing with polymers and exploring ferrofluids. Students will discover how
these wacky materials are used in our lives today and where they may be used in the future. Offered in Conjunction with the special temporary exhibit “Strange Matter”, on display from the
Ontario Science Centre.
Key Curriculum Connections:
PRIMARY (GRADE 2) Understanding Matter and Energy:
Properties of Liquids and Solids
JUNIOR (GRADE 5) Understanding Matter and Energy: Properties of and Changes in Matter
Presented by the Materials Research Society. This exhibition and its tour are made possible
by the generous support of the National Science Foundation, Dow, Ford Motor Company Fund,
Intel® Innovation in Education, Rio Tinto Alcan and 3M.
|
|
|
Food for Thought |
|
As the number of people living below the poverty line in London increases, the need for community awareness and involvement also increases. In this 50-minute interactive program, students will see the impact of hunger and poverty locally, and will be motivated to become active citizens that inspire change in their community. Students will create a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by those in need and explore tangible ways in which to help. They will decipher between needs and wants and discover the role food banks and other community service organizations play in the lives of the hungry.
Key Curriculum Connections:
Offered for Grades 4-6
|
|
|
Operation: Solar System |
|
Explore the wonders and science of the solar system! In this planetarium-based program participants explore our corner of the universe. Students examine the science behind the mysteries of space, including why the moon has phases, how the environments of planets are different from each other, and which constellations are visible at night and why.
Available in English or French
Key Curriculum Connections:
Junior (Grade 6): Earth and Space Systems: Space
|
|
|
Mission to Space |
|
In this out-of-this-world program, students learn about what it means to be an astronaut through interactive, hands-on activities, experiments and discussion. Students will explore the science of rockets and rocket propulsion, the weird world of weightlessness, how to survive surrounded by a vacuum, and Canada’s contributions to space exploration.
Key Curriculum Connections:
Junior (Grade 6): Understanding Earth & Space Systems: Space
Junior (Grade 6): Understanding Structures and Mechanisms: Flight
|
|
|
Rocks and Minerals |
|
Students will discover the science of Geology through hands-on experiments and activities while taking a closer look at the physical and chemical properties of rocks and minerals.
Key Curriculum Connections:
Junior (Grade 4): Understanding Earth and Space Systems: Rocks and Minerals
|
|
|
Arctic Alive! |
|
Discover the arts and culture of the Inuit! Through throat-singing, storytelling and sculpting discover how the surroundings of the Arctic inspire the people who live there. Students will immerse themselves in these various forms of art and use their knowledge to create an Arctic-inspired sculpture. Experience the Inuit lifestyle like never before in our brand new My Arctic Discovery gallery!
Key Curriculum Connections:
Junior (Grades 4): Canada and World Connections: Canada’s Provinces, Regions and Territories
Junior (Grades 4-6): Visual Arts
|
|
|
Arctic Adaptations |
|
How would our lives be different if we lived in the far north? Discover the ways in which humans, plants and animals have adapted to make the harsh Arctic environment their home. Try on a blubber mitten, take a microscopic view of Arctic lichen, go on an arctic survival adventure and compare eating habits of owls from through dissection! Experience the habitat of the Arctic like never before in our brand new My Arctic Discovery Gallery!
Key Curriculum Connections:
Junior (Grade 4): Understanding Life Systems: Habitats and Communities
Junior (Grade 6): Understanding Life Systems: Biodiversity
|
|
Self-Guided Field Trips
The Children's Museum is designed with students and teachers in mind! A self-guided tour gives your class a chance to explore at their own pace and uncover the cross curricular links that are built into every gallery as well as participate in daily demonstrations, crafts and activities.
When: September through June, Tuesday to Friday, 9:30 am to 5 pm and also on Mondays during May.
Fee: The cost per child is $6.50 plus HST. One adult chaperone is required for every five children and will be admitted free.
For booking inquiries contact [email protected] or call 519-434-5726.
Museum School
Imagine a classroom with dinosaurs, polar bears, space shuttles, a tree house, a vibrant community street –and watch science, heritage and the arts come alive! This innovative approach to education allows teachers to move their classroom to a museum setting for a full week of curriculum-based experiential learning.
For more information on Museum School or to book a program.
Community Groups
Evenings of fun and learning just for community groups!
You'll have a blast with an outing to the Children's Museum! Book a visit on one of our community nights and your club or group will have a chance to explore our galleries and exhibits and participate in a fun and educational program!
Each community night, we will be open between 6 and 8pm just for pre-registered community groups! We'll lead your group through a 50-minute hands-on, interactive program of activities, games and crafts based on the topic of your choice. Programs are available at 6pm and 7pm and designed especially for children from four to twelve years old. During the rest of your visit, you'll be able to learn and discover even more as you explore throughout the Children's Museum!
Topics include:
Arctic Adventure, Community and Me, Dinosaurs, Junior Builder, Mission to Space, and Operation: Solar System.
Elements needed to acquire Sparks, Brownies, Guides and Cubs badges are included in many of the programs.
Community Night Dates 2012/2013
Thursday October 18
Tuesday November 13
Wednesday December 12
Thursday January 10
Monday February 11
Tuesday March 26
Wednesday April 10
Thursday May 16
Monday June 10
